7 Top Camping Safety Tips

All camp lovers should take every precaution to ensure a safe and memorable camping vacation.  Here are some safety tips to consider.

Author: Shari Hearn

No doubt about it, camping can be fun. But, if you don't pay
attention to safety, your fun camping outing can turn into the
camping trip from Hell. What are some of the most important
camping safety tips you should know?

1. Plan Ahead. Do your research. Make sure the campground you've
chosen is a safe one. Make sure there are no current fire
dangers. Check out the weather. Any health alerts in the area,
such as dangerous bacteria count in the water, or outbreak of
any rodent-carrying viruses?

2. Pack the Emergency Kit. Be prepared for cuts, bee stings and
allergic reactions. Bring antihistamines, antiseptic, bug sprays
and insect repellents, pain relievers, bandages, sunscreen and
if possible, a snake-bite kit.

An emergency kit should also include the following items:
Whistle, flashlight, compass, a small Swiss Army knife, razor
blades, tweezers, magnifying glass, sterilized water packets for
cleaning wounds, emergency blanket, thermometer, cold pack, and
a mirror. A mirror can be helpful when signaling for help. Some
people also use a CD. If you can afford them, a pair of
night-vision goggles can also be a help in an emergency.

3. Arrive at the Campsite Early. Arriving early, with ample
daylight, allows you to examine the entire campsite and set up
while there's still light. Be on the lookout for sharp objects,
broken glass, huge ant beds, branches, poison ivy, hazardous
terrain and bees.

4. Build your Tent on a Safe Spot. Make sure your tent is
flame-resistant and keep it at a safe distance from the
campfire. Try to pitch your tent on elevated land so it doesn't
flood in case of rain. In order to keep the bugs out, make sure
you close your tent immediately upon entering and leaving.

5. Go Over Safety Issues with Family Members. Make sure family
members are aware of poisonous plants in the area. Be sure the
children understand that they should never drink from any stream
or river, regardless of how clean it may look. Finally, issue
each member of your family a whistle for emergency use only.

6. Be Fire Safe. Make sure there are no current fire
restrictions before building any fire, and don't build a fire if
there are strong winds. When you do build a fire, keep it in the
fire ring, and make sure there are no flammable items near the
fire. Do not use heating devices or candles inside the tent.

Never leave your campfire unattended, and keep the area clear of
leaves and twigs. Before going to bed, make sure the campfire is
property put out by drowning it with water.

7. Be Aware of Wild Animals. Be sure to familiarize yourself and
your family with safety concerning wild animals. Wild animals
have acute senses of smell. Make sure you keep your campsite
clean and free of food or garbage which might attract them. It
is best to store all food, garbage and strong-smelling items
(such as soap or toothpaste) in bear-resistant containers or
your vehicle. Keep your sleeping bag and tent completely free of
food and food odors, and set up your cooking and eating area at
least 100 yards from your tent. Do not go to sleep in the same
clothing you cooked in, as even the cooking smells can attract
bears and other wild animals.

While it may seem like attention to safety takes the fun out of
camping, in reality it helps ensure that your camping vacation
is a fun time for the whole family. And, isn't having fun the
point of camping?

About the author:
Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of an <a
xhref="http://www.rv-camping.net/">RV camping</a> website where
you can learn about such things as <a
xhref="http://www.rv-camping.net/Beach-Camping-Parks.html">beach
camping parks</a>.

Use the safety tips above and be safe while enjoying the great outdoors.

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