3 Safety Tips Avid Campers Should Always Remember

Going on an outdoor camping adventure can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it also comes with some risks. A week-long trip might be a weekend of fun and adventure for an avid camper, but you need to make the most out of your stay by ensuring everyone has a safe and comfortable time during the entire visit.

Therefore, preparing for your camping is very essential. Mother nature can pose many threats if you don’t come well educated and prepared. It’s vital that you bring along a first aid kit as well as to be aware of the other safety tips and precautions.

Here are some safety tips every avid camper should know before heading outdoors:

Prepare for the uncontrollable weather

Before your trip, keep an eye with the weather forecast. Do your research ‒ what are the usual weather conditions at that time of the year in the area that you’ll be camping?  

Even more so, prepare yourself for uncontrollable weather conditions. If it happens to rain heavily and there are lightings and thunderstorms, stay out of the tent. Your car is much safer instead as the rubbers of the tires will protect you from the electric charge coming from a bolt of lightning which decreases your chances of being struck.

Sometimes though, no matter how hard you prepare, you’ll still find yourself in inclement weather conditions. So make sure you prepare enough clothing and gear that is meant to protect you either from heavy rains or sunshine.

Protection from extreme UV exposure

Sunscreen is a definite must have as it protects you from too much UV exposure from the sun. Do you know that even on a cloudy day there is still a possibility that you will get sunburnt? Sunburns tend to snap out your energy, also causing several irregularities in your body function such as regulating your core temperature.

Heavy rain and wind

During the entire duration of your trip, don’t forget to bring a rain jacket or poncho with you. You might think that there isn’t a need since the weather is fantastic in the area. However, you entirely can’t rule out the possibility that a storm will settle in your campground during the night.

You can also try resealing the seams of your tent regularly, and bring a tarp with you at all time in case of a leak. Moreover, you can try refreshing the waterproof layer of your tent. Do you want to sleep in a rain-drenched tent? Of course not!

Protect yourself from lightning

There might be instances that you would find yourself trapped in a storm and think that it’s much safer to stay in the shelter of a tent. However, the metal poles only serve to attract lightning, especially if you’re in a high elevation with very little trees. So the safest place will be inside your vehicle and not touching any metal during the entire duration of the storm.

Beware of Wild Animals and Pests

You’re outdoors, and the presence of bees, wasps, snakes, and other wild animals can be dangerous. Therefore, it’s vital that you prepare for both wild animals and pests alike.

Store Your Food Properly

Put your food away in a hard shell food canister, and store it away from your camp and your car since will always attract wild animals. Educate yourself about deadly and venomous snakes so that it will be easier for you to identify one once you see it. Also, entirely close your tent before you sleep.

Stay Safe from Bees, Wasps, and Mosquitoes

Do you know that a bee or wasp sting can be deadly to those who are allergic to it? Moreover, mosquitos carry different blood-borne diseases. As a rule, put your trash away from the camp, use bug sprays and bring natural deterrents all the time.

Stay On The Map

A lot of people get lost each year on their hiking and camping trips. If you don’t have a guide with you, always let someone know where are you going and what time you will approximately get back. If they do not hear again from you at a particular time, they can send in a search party to look for you.

Leave markers wherever you go. Always ring a GPS locator, compass and a map. Pay close attention to landmarks as well.