MADISON, Wis. (CBS58) -- This weekend marks the unofficial start to summer. That means many of us will be spending time outside, at bonfires, and likely, grilling. But UW Health reminds us that outdoor celebrations and cookouts don’t come without risks.

“By far the most common injuries are around bonfires, campfires, and burn piles. Anything like that where there's an open flame where people are around. That comes from one of things that happens. A, someone accidentally trips, falls and stumbles into a fire… and then the other most common thing is an accelerant or diesel, any type of flammable liquid that can catch fire and can essentially explode very unexpectedly” shared Dr. Patrick Shahan, Adult Trauma Medical Director at UW Health & Assistant Professor of Surgery at UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

Dr. Shahan says accelerants are one of the biggest reasons for people to visit the emergency room, “I think people are just often surprised with how even a small amount of accelerant can result in a huge fire that takes hold very quickly.”

So, be sure to never use gasoline, diesel or kerosene as they can have the same explosiveness as dynamite, remove any explosive items before starting a fire, keep children and pets away from fires and grills, and don't burn on windy days.

Dr. Shahan also reminds us to make sure things aren't around heat or flames that can cause tripping hazards, like chairs, rocks, or toys.

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“Everyone enjoys a campfire, it seems like such a simple thing to do that creates a lot of joy for people. But just acknowledging there's a lot of risk if you're not careful. Trying to keep it safe and fun for everyone that's involved before, during and after events like that are really important so everyone can continue to have fun” he said.

It's also recommended you keep a bucket of water, or a garden hose, nearby, so you can put out the fire completely and safely.