Camping Safety Tips And Rules

Camping Safety Tips And Rules
by AJ Adams

While your camping endeavor is meant to be a relaxing experience, both physically and mentally, this does not mean you can turn off your basic responsibility obligations. When camping in the wilderness there are no walls around you to protect you and to ensure that what is outside of those walls stays out. There are a few basic safety rules you need to consider when camping. The main camping safety rules include: nature, anticipation of danger, awareness of your surroundings, your campfire, and what you consume in the wilderness.



Nature is both a precious entity and an unpredictable one. The first of your safety rules for camping include your responsibility and care for nature. Probably the simplest of this camping safety rule is to ensure that your camping ground is left in the same, if not better, condition that it was when you got there. One of the most important things for you to be aware of is any dangerous animals that may live in the area, like bears. Remember this is their home and you are trespassing, they may be curious.



Your second camping safety rule is to be cautious of the area you set up camp and anticipate any dangers that may present themselves. Flash flooding is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States. It can come on suddenly and is almost impossible to escape. Your main hope of avoiding becoming a victim is to ensure your dwellings are not erected on low ground where water will flow in the case of a flash flood.



The third of your safety rules for camping is to be aware of your surroundings. Beware of the weather forecast, if rain is predicted do not place your tent on low ground. You may need to dig some small trenches around your tent to deter water from entering, but remember to abide by camping safety rule number one when you leave, and fill in the trenches. Be mindful of warn paths in the area and do not build your campsite across any paths. Animals often use these paths at night and you may risk being trampled in your sleep by herds of animals. Look above the area where you plan to build your tent and your campfire. Overhanging branches may fall in the night or be set alight by a raging campfire or wayward embers.



Camping safety rule number four requires you to ensure you have all the necessary knowledge to build a safe campfire. You should also ensure you have the equipment necessary for putting your fire out should it start getting out of control. Out of control campfires do not take long to spread, especially if surrounded by acres and acres of luscious bushland. Forests can take hundreds of years to grow. Depending on the area you are camping in, your campfire could be responsible for destroying hundreds of acres of heritage forests that are hundreds of years old. There may also be residential dwellings in the area, which may risk the loss of human life, as well as all the wildlife that will suffer. Just a few simple camping safety rules can prevent an abundance of irreparable damage.



Your final camping safety rule includes being cautious of what you consume in the wild. Nature is not a supermarket; we cannot always be certain that what we take from her shelves will always be good for us. If you are able to, obtain a nature guide to all the native berries, nuts and plants in the area so that you can be sure you are not going to make yourself sick in the middle of the bush. You should also research the condition of the water in the area if you plan to drink from natural springs and water bodies. To be on the safe side, always carry fresh water with you to last the entire length of your trip and a few extra days’ worth – just in case!


Read our 5 Safety Rules For Camping, then check out our selection of Slumberjack sleeping bags.


Article Directory: Article Dashboard