Essential Tips For A Safer Camping Trip

A lot of people get put off camping for a variety of reasons. Some just don’t like slumming it, but a big factor is the issue of safety. It’s understandable - after all, it’s only a thin sheet of fabric between you and the outside world. And, there are a lot of dangers involved in the activity that you just don’t have to deal with in a hotel!

However, if you count yourself among these people, would you change your mind if you knew how to be safe while camping? In this guide, I’m going to give you some great tips on how to have a safer and more enjoyable camping trip. Read on to find out more.

credit - flickr

Know your escape routes

First of all, excellent planning is essential for any camping trip. You should research where you are going so that you are aware of how to access emergency services should you need them. Bee or wasp stings, slips and falls, and, of course, snakes can all cause issues. If they do, the quicker route you take to a hospital, the quicker the injured party will recover.

Arrange meeting points

If you are traveling in the wilderness in a group, there’s a good chance one of your party will get lost. A phone is obviously the best way to resolve this issue. But, so you aren’t relying on a signal, you should also arrange meeting points at the start of any journey. Rivers are a great marker, as it narrows down the choice of direction. Plot out several points on a map, and make sure everyone has a copy!

Remove temptation

Your food smells - and it smells great to any animals that might be around. Now, this isn’t all that scary if you live in a country where the biggest wild animal might be a badger, but if it’s a bear? That’s a different story. So, keep all your food sealed up in airtight containers or bags, and keep it out of sight.

Drink water

The human body is remarkably resilient, and it can go a surprisingly long time without food. It’s a different story for water, though, and you need to stay hydrated. You should bring plenty of water with you and keep it safe, and it’s also advisable to bring a portable water filter. That way, if you get lost somewhere, you will be able to purify any water from any source, and know it is safe to drink.

Torch and batteries

When you are camping away from the bright city lights, it is going to be dark. Very, very dark. So, make sure you bring a good torch with you - and plenty of batteries to keep it running. It’s no fun if you need to take a toilet trip in the middle of the night, so bring some light with you to ensure you don’t have an accident.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when you are planning a camping trip. But, put these tips into practice and you should have a perfectly safe trip, and have a great time camping. Enjoy!