When you go camping, having a good time is one of your primary goals. You look forward to the beautiful scenery you’ll see during your hikes and sitting around the campfire, enjoying the company of the people you are with. However, the utmost important goal of your camping trip should be safety. It only takes one small mishap to turn a good time into a terrible one. Following a few simple steps will ensure your camping trips will be the best ones ever.
Do Your Research
An injury on your camping trip can easily happen if you aren’t prepared. Once you know where you want to go camping, it’s going to be in your best interest to research where you’re going. Will you be in the desert or the forest? Will you need rain gear, or can you wear flip-flops? Knowing what to pack will ensure that you have what you need and that you are adequately prepared for the area you will be staying in. Not having the proper gear can quickly cause accidents to happen.
Bring Protection
Whether you are worried about bugs or bears, you need to be prepared when camping. If you’re going to sleep out under the stars, you might want to invest in a pop-up mosquito net. Additionally, you’ll want to have a bug spray to use during the day to keep them off of you. Mosquitos aren’t just annoying pests. They have also been known to carry Zika and West Nile Virus, and even malaria, so you need to do your best to keep them off you.
Another thing to be aware of is the wildlife where you are camping. You want to know how to appropriately respond during different potential animal attacks. If bears are an issue where you are camping, consider purchasing bear spray. It can reach distances of about 30 feet. If you feel more comfortable carrying a firearm, make sure you research your state’s open carry vs. concealed carry laws. If you prefer to have your gun on you all the time, concealed carry holsters are a good choice for speed and safety.
Be Mindful Of The Fire
Even minor burns can be extremely painful and can quickly happen if you’re not mindful around a fire. Never place anything that you could trip over close to the fire and use appropriate gloves or mitts when cooking over a fire. Additionally, it is important to never build fires closer than 15 feet away from trees or your tents or sleeping bags. Sparks could quickly fly up and light them on fire. Finally, never leave your fire unattended for any length of time.
