Safety - Outdoor and Recreation: Camping Tips
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Tips
Whether you're roughing it in a tent or planning a family outing
to a national forest, there are many ways to make sure your experience
is fun and safe. Consider the following safety tips:
- Pack a first aid kit. Your kit can prove invaluable
if you or a member of your group suffers a cut, bee sting or allergic
reaction. Pack antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect
repellent, bug spray, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen.
- Bring emergency supplies. In addition to a
first aid kit, this includes: a map, compass, flashlight, knife,
waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing,
high energy food, water, and insect protection.
- Learn the ABC's of treating emergencies. Recognizing
serious injuries will enable you to attend to a victim until medical
help arrives.
- Before you leave, find out the weather report.
When you arrive at the site, watch the skies for changes and carry
a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, find shelter until
the worse passes. Stay dry - wet clothes contribute to heat loss.
Also, keep sleeping bags and important gear, dry at all times.
- Arrive early. Plan your trip so that you arrive
at your actual campsite with enough daylight to check over the
entire site and to set-up camp.
- Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check
the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large
ant beds, poison ivy, bees, and hazardous terrain.
- Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the contour
of the land and look for potential trouble due to rain. Areas
that could flood or become extremely muddy can pose a problem.
- Inspect the site. Look for a level site with
enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site that has
trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block
strong, unexpected gusts.
- Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires
and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent
to prevent ignition from sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a
flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight
or battery-powered light instead.
- Make sure your fires are always attended. Be
sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally
or vertically - a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting
the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals
and sticks are wet. Embers buried deep within the pile have a
tendency to reignite later.
- Pitch your tent in a safe spot. Make sure your
tent is made of a flame-retardant fabric, and set up far enough
away from the campfire. Keep insects out of your tent by closing
the entrance quickly when entering or leaving.
- Dispose of trash properly. Remember to recycle
- use the proper recycling bins if available.
- Be cautious when using a propane stove. Read
the instructions that come with the stove and propane cylinder.
Use the stove as a cooking appliance only - never leave it unattended
while it's burning.
- Watch out for bugs. Hornets, bees, wasps, and
yellow jackets are a problem at many campsites. Avoid attracting
stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding
perfumes or colognes. Should such an insect approach, do not wave
wildly and swat blindly - instead use a gentle pushing or brushing
motion to deter them.
- Beware when encountering wildlife. To ward
off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage,
coolers, cooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Remember
that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable - never
feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night - many animals
feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.
- Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself
with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you
come into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the
affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine
to the affected area.
- Practice good hygiene. Make sure you wash your
hands, particularly after using the toilet and before handling
food, to prevent everyone in your group becoming ill.
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