If you recently discovered the joy of camping and spending time in nature, good for you! There’s nothing like feeling the sun shine on your skin and breathing in fresh air. But along with the good things of being outdoors, you should know that the woods are rough and prone to accidents and injuries. You should always be careful, prepared and most of all, always thinking about your safety and that of your fellow campers.
Follow these important tips for a safe outdoor trip:
Anticipate bugs and insects
We all know that the woods are home to a lot of critters, big or small. This is why you should be prepared to protect yourself from all sorts of insects, especially if you’re camping during bug season. Apart from being annoying, some critters, like ticks and mosquitoes, can bring serious health problems.
Be sure to bring bug spray and some good mosquito repellent. If you’re exploring or trekking, wear long sleeves and pants (better if you tuck them in inside some long socks) to protect your skin. At night, use yellow or red light instead of white, because white attracts insects more.
Practice campfire safety
Spending time around a campfire under the stars is one of the biggest joys of camping. But we all know that we should always be cautious with anything that involves fire. Make sure that you build your fire in an open space, away from your tent, trees and bush (most campsites have a firepit). Never leave your campfire unattended and make sure that you put it out completely when you’re about to sleep or when you’re leaving the campground.
Be prepared for emergencies
One of the most important things you have to bring to every camping/outdoor trip is a stocked first aid kit. If any injuries should happen, you should be prepared to administer first aid until help arrives. Make sure your kit contains band-aids, bandages, gauze pads, scissors, tweezers, allergy and pain medications, antibiotic ointments, antiseptic creams, and more. There are plenty of complete lists on camping websites that you could check.
Apart from a first aid kit, it’s also important that you pack a map, compass, whistle, some chalk, a lighter, flashlight and bear spray in case you get lost in the woods.
The outdoors is such a fun and educational place. But it also poses plenty of danger, and preparedness is the key. Follow these important tips for a safe outdoor trip!