Important Safety Tips for Your Next Camping Trip

When camping, you have to keep yourself and everyone with you safe. You have to prepare yourself by planning for every scenario on your camping trip. This means packing all the right stuff and simply exercising safe camping practices.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• The campfire – Create a fire pit or fire ring and don’t use flammable liquids to start your fire. Firewood should suffice and your pit or ring will keep the wind from getting into it. When you put it out, use water. You can also use a shovel and shovel dirt on top of it to make sure it is out. Learn more about fire prevention to avoid starting a wildfire.

• Water – Keep plenty of water with you so that you don’t get dehydrated. Dehydration can be fixed by drinking water if the case is mild. Move indoors if possible to help regulate body temperature. Once this is done, go to a doctor to make sure everything is okay. Carry a portable water purification device with you if you are going on a longer hike to avoid running out of bottled water.

• First Aid Kit – Keep a first aid kit on hand. It has everything that you need to fix up any small injuries that may occur. You have band aids, gauze, tape, cold packs, ACE bandages, sterile pads, antibiotic ointment, surgical gloves, and bee sting kits. Depending on your kit, you may have much more. Always make sure your items are not outdated before each camping trip.

• Heatstroke – If someone starts feeling dizzy, fatigued, with a rapid pulse, and a high body temperature, that is indicative of heatstroke and the individual needs to be cooled down. Disorientation, confusion, and hallucinations are also common symptoms. As soon as these symptoms are noticed, it is important to get medical attention.

• Bugs – Try to stay away from puddles and other areas that are breeding grounds for bugs. Your campfire and other items such as citronella and bug sprays can help you to keep the bugs away. Read more about keeping bugs off while camping.

• Wildlife – Make sure you only camp in areas that are authorized. This is so you can stay out of the way of wildlife. Camps are set up in certain places for these very reasons. Simply keep your distance. Generally wild animals are afraid of humans and will not approach, but when you come in contact with wild animals, let them continue on their way. Never touch them as they may bite (snakes, squirells, racoons). Never feed wild animals, as more of them will be lured to your campsite. Keep all your food and food garbage in your car, or hanging high from a tree in a bag. When you encounter large animals such as bears, be still and wait till they retreat.

Learn 10 rules to follow in bear country.