By Nick
Parkes
There is
nothing like it! The smell of the fresh, crisp air, the crackle of an open fire
and the sounds of nature doing what nature does all around you. Getting out and
going camping has been a favourite activity for people pretty much since time
began. Even though it’s fun, relaxing and a great way to spend your free time
there are some inherent dangers that you need to be aware of to make sure you
keep having the best of times.
Campfire Safety
Let’s be
honest, it’s not truly camping unless you have a campfire going, but, in the
wilderness fires can spread rapidly if they get away from you. Wildfires can
cause unimaginable damage and kill people every year. Make sure to avoid your
fire getting away from you and turning what is supposed to be a fun time into a
tragedy. Here’s three things to make sure you are ready for the unexpected:
1. Never make a fire close to areas
with dry grass, fallen leaves or other areas that could easily catch a light
2. Keep a pail of water nearby to snuff
out any wayward embers
3. Never, ever leave a fire unattended.
Put the fire out if you are leaving your site, no matter how safe you think it
is. Dowse it with water and sand until no smoke remains
Keep the Wildlife at Bay
It doesn’t
matter where you are camping there is always the potential that there are
animals nearby. These critters are out looking for an easy meal and this can
bring danger much, much closer than you really want it. The wildlife is most
commonly attracted by scents and so eliminate these to remove the temptation from
these unwelcome guests. Reduce smelly attractants by:
1. Storing your food inside a locked
vehicle or away from your campsite in a cache out of reach e.g. up a tree
2. Do not dump any food, cooking grease
or dirty dishwater anywhere near your campsite
3. Remove all your garbage from your
campsite before you go to sleep and dispose of it in an appropriate receptacle
Keep You and Your Pets Healthy
When you
spend time outside and you are having fun it is very easy to lose track of your
surroundings and run into issues that can affect your health. A little
preparation and prevention can ensure that you are all going to stay healthy
for the duration of your stay. Here are three things to be aware of to make
sure you and your pets stay healthy and having fun
1. Prepare for the weather and avoid
getting too cold (hypothermia) or too hot (heat stroke). Make sure you can
always maintain your body temperature
2. Always drink water that is safe and
eat food that has been stored correctly. Raw foods left out too long can grow
bacteria and cause a number of health issues
3. Check yourself and your pets for
ticks and prevent other bugs that could carry diseases from biting you. A good
bug spray can be a good deterrent for all sorts of different bugs and biting
insects
If you
remember these tips, the next time you head out into the wilderness you can be
confident that you will be well setup to avoid any potentially dangerous
situations. Camping is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, that’s why we head out
in the first place. It will stay fun as long as you pay attention to the things
that can go wrong and do everything you can to make sure you keep them under
control.
Ready to go
camping? Get yourself geared up at https://www.outdoorsportsessentials.com and get ready for a great time!