Tips To Stay Safe When Camping
Whether you love camping in the unexplored wilderness or in national parks, safety should be one of your main concerns.
There are plenty of things that we can love when it comes to outdoor camping. Nature has its unique sounds, the air is always fresh, and we get to escape the digital devices that took over our lives. Countless reasons can be highlighted about why we should go camping but, at the end of the day, all the excitement and beautiful adventure can end up being horrible when safety is not taken into account.
To make your next camping adventure safe, here are some great tips you have to remember.
Know Risks Present Around The Tent
So you reach the destination and you want to hammer in the tent pegs. Do not hurry! You should look around so you are aware of all the risks there.
As a very simple example, you should never camp under the large gum trees. There are species that might drop a large branch when you least expect it. You surely do not want to have branches dropping on the tent as you sleep.
Think about the water and how it drains if rain comes. Do not camp over ditches that might see water pooling or creek beds. When you camp with your children, stay away from possible dangers like steep drop-offs, creeks, or rivers. Also, be careful and look out for the presence of ant nests. It will never be fun to set up the tent on some angry ants that will then attack you. Your evening habits will never be relaxing with ants around you.
Make Sure You Have Enough Water And Food
It is vital that you have enough water with you so you have enough for washing and drinking. In most parks, you will not have a connection to water supplies. This means that right after some dry times, it is impossible to rely on park water. And you do not want to use tank water since you cannot drink that.
When you take foods you have to keep at a colder temperature, do make sure you have enough ice with you. The last thing you want is to end up with a case of food poisoning. And do think about how food will be stored. You need air-tight containers so that bugs do not come in.
Be Careful With The Weather
It is just so easy to underestimate weather. This can make it impossible to pack accordingly.
Analyze night-time and day-time temperatures and do remain aware of the weather forecasts. It is always possible you need sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and a warm jumper to wear during the night.
Make Sure You Have A First Aid Kit With You
Most camping destinations are beautiful but they are placed in highly remote locations. This means medical aid will not be close if you need it. Obviously, you want to make sure you can camp with people that know first aid training. Also, you have to be as trained as possible.
When something goes wrong, you want to make sure that you have what you need to treat injuries. This includes your knowledge.
The first aid kit you take with you is vital for treating problems you might meet as you camp. Take supplies like bandages, antiseptic cream, and all you need to clean up bites, cuts, and scratches when you are hiking.
Be Aware Of Available Services
Before you go camping, you need to do research so you are aware of how much help will be available. You need to be aware of local hospitals, their locations, and even shortcuts that could help you reach them faster. When camping during fire danger season, create evacuation plans.
Keep in mind that even in national parks, there might be just limited phone coverage. In many places, there is zero coverage. Be aware of the network coverage map and see where you will need to go in the event that you have to make an emergency phone call.
As an extra precaution, be sure to discuss plans with close friends and trusted family members. They should know when you should reach home. Always have maps with you, especially when you go on bushwalks. Free maps can be found online and you can print them.
Be Careful With The Wildlife
Most people know that they have to be careful and watch out for large animals, like bears and wolves. However, what you might not consider is the presence of small critters. Insects like ticks and mosquitoes for instance, will cause huge damage and might make the entire camping trip a horror story.
You need to wear long pants, long-sleeved tops, and have insect repellent ready when you camp in several destinations. Also, fly screens can be great for tents, as long as you do keep them closed. Also, you should never leave open drink and water containers around the campsite. This will attract thirsty insects just like food will attract larger animals.
If you camp during warm months, you might come across some snakes. While these animals rarely attack if they are not provoked, you still have to be careful if you go to a destination where snakes exist.
In addition, you might love the cutie small animals like kookaburras and possums. But, they can be very good when it comes to raiding campsites. Always keep all your rubbish and food inside tents or your vehicle to stop animals from coming into your camp.
Final Thoughts
Going camping is not at all something that should end up in a very unpleasant experience. And the tips above will surely help you out a lot, much more than you might think. But, there are many other things that could be said.
At the end of the day, you want to make sure that you are safe. And to do that, you need to plan everything properly and know as much as you can find out about the camping destination. The more you know, the easier it is to stay safe!
