Tips for safe camping
- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 8 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
:drive: tips 4 safe camping
A camping holiday can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. These tips from the experts should ensure you have a camping holiday to remember, rather than one you’d like to forget.
Pitching your tent 1. Try and set up camp in daylight — you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises like ants’ nests.
2. Pick a spot protected from the wind by using a line of trees, scrub or the lee of a hill as a windbreak.
3. Level, firm ground is important but don’t select the lowest ground because water will pool there when it rains. Avoid dried mud —
these are the first places to get boggy when it rains.
4. Position your tent so you sleep with your head higher than your feet. (Don’t scoff — you’d be surprised how many people make this
mistake!)
5. Don’t camp under trees with large boughs, especially gums. Often called ‘widow makers’, they tend to snap in strong winds and
lightning strikes.
6. Set up a sun shelter by rigging a tarp off the side of your tent. This is also a good rain shelter, provides extra cooking space and a
place to leave gear.
7. In rain, use a tarp as a second fly. You can also use a tarp underneath your tent as an extra moisture barrier. In heavy rain, dig a
small trench on the high side of your tent to divert run-off.
8. If camping on a beach, avoid unprotected headlands or sand dunes. Find a sheltered spot out of the wind behind shrubs and trees or
in a dune.
9. Pay attention to warning signs about wildlife such as crocodiles or poisonous marine life.
10. In mountains, don’t camp on ridges or saddles between peaks — they can be exposed and dangerous. Use protected sites such as
rocky platforms, ledges and river terraces.
11. In deserts, the best campsites are on the edge of dry clay pans or in dunes. Don’t camp in dry creeks or river beds. A distant storm
may send a flood of water when you least expect it.
What to take
12. Write a check-list and tick it off as you pack.
13. A first aid kit is a must-have for any camping trip.
14. Don’t rely on wood being available — always carry a fuel stove.
15. Take a gas or fuel lantern — it makes preparing the evening meal and getting ready for bed easier.
16. Take a door mat — it’s great for removing sand and soil before entering the tent.
Around the campfire
17. Pick a spot downwind so the breeze will blow the smoke away from your tent.
18. Build your fire on a bed of sand or dirt away from logs or stumps and vegetation. Clear away any material that could catch fire.
19. Be careful what you burn. Plastics can give off noxious fumes and aerosols and sealed containers can explode.
20. Put your fire out each night by covering it with sand or dirt or dousing it with water.
21. To save water, use moist ‘baby wipes’ or ‘wet ones’ for quick clean-ups or for washing hands.
22. Make sure your sleeping bags are warm enough. Conquering the creepy crawlies
Conquering the creepy crawlies
23. Check the ground for ants’ nests or animal burrows before pitching your tent.
24. Keep your tent zipped at all times to stop bugs getting in.
25. Don’t leave shoes or clothing outside as they may become a temporary home to spiders. Check before you put them on.
26. Always wear gloves when you’re collecting firewood.
27. Pack up food and scraps at night — they attract unwelcome guests like possums and insects.
28. Burn a citronella candle or mosquito coil to ward off mosquitoes.
29. Rub your legs in insect repellent or tea-tree oil to deter leeches.
30. Biting insects breed around water — set up your camp at least 100 metres away.
Camping with kids
31. Space and comfort are important when camping with kids. For two adults and two kids, aim for a tent that is at least 15 ft x 12 ft.
Most tents this size have an external frame and are tall enough to stand in. Better still is a two-room tent, with the back-room set aside
for sleeping. Make it off-limits at other times to keep it clean.
32. A second tent makes a great play room.
33. Leave any mechanical/electric/breakable toys at home. Kids can have a ball with sticks, rocks, leaves, flowers, earth, sand and
water. For wet days, have at hand lots of paper, pens, kid-safe scissors, sticky tape, board games and books.
34. Kids seem to eat more on camping trips, so bring plenty of fruit, muesli/fruit bars, biscuits and sultanas.
35. Kids love water. Find a nice, safe spot and all you will have to do is watch them and re-apply sun cream.
36. Kids love wildlife. Even a bug can provide hours of entertainment. Pick a site with some animal interest. A torch can help you pick out
possums and other nightlife.
Courtesy: Mohamed Al Khatib
Nice,
useful information.
Thank you.
Very useful guidelines, Hamid :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
