Camping and safety: what you need to know

Photo by Tommy Lisbin on Unsplash scaled
Photo by Tommy Lisbin on Unsplash

By Jessica Kelly

Camping is an age-old adventure that humans all over the world continue to embark on come rain or shine. However, despite there being so many advantages to camping, it also offers some potential dangers that, if not well prepared for, could become life-threatening. From weather hazards to bugs, there are all sorts of things to be aware of, and this article is here to break it down for you.

 

Contents

Get educated about the elements

One of the biggest fears for campers is, without a doubt, lightning. This is largely due to the majority of camping taking place in forests, beneath and surrounded by trees that can easily be hit by lightning. The best way to stay safe is to spend some time learning about lightning safety before you leave for your camping trip.

A key fact about lighting is that if you hear the rumble of thunder, a storm is within 10 miles and campers should immediately seek a designated spot for shelter. Once you find your camping spot, familiarise yourself with the grounds and locate a safe spot to shelter if a storm does happen to brew. The safest bet is a building, however, if there isn’t one nearby, abandon your tent and find an open area with no trees close by.

 

Be aware of the wildlife

Depending on where you decide to camp, the chances are that you will be more immersed in nature than you usually are at home. This can often mean that wildlife such as bees, wasps, snakes and more can pose a potential threat to your safety. Familiarise yourself with how bee and wasp nests look so you can steer clear when you pitch up. Bees usually make nests in the ground, so it is important to have a thorough look at the ground around your tent. If you are allergic to bee or wasp stings, make sure you pack your EpiPen in a place that is easy to reach at all times and consider avoiding camping locations that are too remote.

Photo by Krzysztof Niewolny on Unsplash scaled
Photo by Krzysztof Niewolny on Unsplash

Take precautions to avoid illness

Illness is one of the biggest worries when it comes to travelling. In fact, 35% of people worry about becoming too ill to travel at the last minute.

There are a number of precautions you can take to avoid coming down with an illness before or during your travels. The most obvious, and also the most often overlooked, is to wash your hands with soap to kill risky germs. It is also a great idea to pack a high-quality hand sanitiser with you while you camp, adding further peace of mind.

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Prioritise hydration

Dehydration is an issue in everyday life; however, it is even more important when you are out camping. Get to know the signs of dehydration so you can spot it in yourself or in those around you. Once you begin to feel thirsty, your body is telling you it is low on water and will need more to function properly. Campers should also be aware of dark coloured urine, headaches, dizzy spells, eye aches and weariness, which are all signs of dehydration.

Camping trips can often involve a certain degree of strenuous activity, leading your body to need more water than usual. Avoid dehydration by drinking at least 8 ounces of fluid for every 15 minutes of activity.

Photo by Evan Wise on Unsplash scaled
Photo by Evan Wise on Unsplash

 

Research crime statistics for your destination

Camping is an opportunity to go back to basics and live openly amongst nature. However, the open-air setting also proves to be an ideal opportunity for thieves to thrive. It is common for valuable items to go missing from campsites, which can be upsetting and can disrupt your trip.

The best every camper can do is to take the appropriate precautions to deter thieves. One thing you can do is be careful with what you decide to pack. Only pack expensive electrical goods if they are going to be absolutely essential for your camping experience. It is also a good idea to secure your belongings on the campsite with high-quality locks.

 

Prepare for the unexpected

36% of people worry about things going wrong on the first day of their holiday, and although all of the above tips will help you be as prepared as possible, there is always the chance that something unexpected could happen on your trip. The key to enjoying your camping trip isn’t just doing your very best to stay safe, it is also learning to expect the unexpected and embrace the uncertainty of a camping trip. Nature may pose a certain amount of natural threats to safety, but it is also beautiful, peaceful and fun. Find the perfect balance between making sure everyone is thinking about camping and safety and making sure everyone has a great time.

 

Guest Author at Kelly Media Consultancy

Jessica Kelly is a freelance writer based in the UK, writing on a range of subjects including lifestyle, small business, and transport. When she’s not writing she can be found curled up with a good book and a cup of tea.

28 thoughts on “Camping and safety: what you need to know

  • March 25, 2020 at 7:29 pm
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    You know I would never think to research crime when camping, but it makes sense. It would be a a good opportunity for people looking to steal something. I also love your tips about water and insects.

    Reply
  • March 25, 2020 at 12:42 am
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    Great tips.. I love camping but never got a chance to camp yet…. I never thought about the issues you have suggested in this article… Thanks for sharing ????

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  • March 19, 2020 at 3:09 pm
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    This turns out to be a well-timed article – because camping might just become the “social distancing” vacation trend for this spring and summer. This means a lot of people who are newbies to camping will find this especially helpful.

    Reply
  • March 19, 2020 at 11:58 am
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    I miss camping! I used to camp with my mom when I was little. I should recommence this someday when I am not super busy.

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  • March 19, 2020 at 1:20 am
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    So helpful! I feel like this applies to so many things. Especially right now!

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  • March 18, 2020 at 4:40 pm
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    awesome tips! I can’t wait to do some camping later this year

    Reply
  • March 18, 2020 at 1:57 pm
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    Camping goes a long way to improving your mood. It’s all to do with serotonin, that wonderful chemical our body produces that helps to make us happy. We’ve already touched on some factors that help the body create serotonin: more sunlight, more oxygen, and increased physical activity. And all these safety rules are very important to enjoy and stay safe as well.

    Reply
  • March 18, 2020 at 12:35 pm
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    The tip about checking the crime rates is something we must do next time we plan a camping trip. We usually camp out in familiar places, but sometimes we do want to try out other areas. Thanks for the tips. We will make sure we check on each and every advice you’ve provided in this post.

    Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 8:22 pm
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    I love camping but haven’t done it for ages. I think it’s super important to be prepared for the unexpected and also do some research on the area where you will be camping.

    Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 2:21 pm
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    Such a useful post. I have been camping a few times and I do think safety is a key concern. It’s a wise move to scope out the crime statistics of where you are planning to camp!

    Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 2:00 pm
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    Those are great tips for staying safe while camping! I would not want to be in a tent during a thunderstorm. Also, it never occurred to me to check crime stats of the local area!

    Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 10:30 am
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    Great post!! I love all the points you have highlighted in the post. As someone who has been camping for the past 7 years, I cannot emphasize more on checking the statistics of the crime rates near your camp location. Respecting a certain distance from the wildlife is also another important tip too.

    Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 9:40 am
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    I always thought of safety issues and so never done camping before. But your post is giving me huge relief and strength so that I can go camping. I would definitely check for crime statistics of destination and also take account of local wildlife. Staying Hydrated is also good advice. I know in camping we should be prepared for some surprises too, all can not go the way we planned.

    Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 3:27 am
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    These are solid tips! And yes indeed, lightning is scary…Ha! Even when I’m at home, when there are storm and Lightning strikes, it makes me jump! I’ll put in my notes your tips about the elements…That’s definitely useful even when I’m home…Thanks for these camping tips!

    Reply
  • March 16, 2020 at 11:25 pm
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    It is good to be well prepared for camping. Too many people find themselves in a bind or unsafe.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2020 at 1:29 am
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    These are some really important tips for camping. The one thing I tend to forget in all the excitement is drinking water. Crime rates – now that is something a lot of people tend to forget or overlook -the whole bit of this won’t happen to me! As for the wildlife, not only it is important for your protection but also, the eco-system around. Thanks for writing it all down.

    Reply
  • March 15, 2020 at 2:31 pm
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    We’ve never really been camping. We have talked about going soon, but things like storms keep me from actually going. This is a great list of things to consider and what to do to ease the fear of going camping.

    Reply
  • March 15, 2020 at 8:36 am
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    When we think of a holiday including camping, probably we tend to focus more on the fun and pleasure. But this is so very important as you have methodically told us about the hazards like thunder, insects, snakes, safety and more. Very nice read too.

    Reply
    • March 16, 2020 at 11:06 pm
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      A beautiful write-up and very educative for those who need to know how to take care of themselves.

      Reply
  • March 14, 2020 at 4:24 pm
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    These are great tips for novice campers. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  • March 14, 2020 at 2:12 am
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    There is a saying in the Boy Scouts that says “Be Prepared.” I live by that motto every time I go camping. Great info you have here. Keep it up and never stop exploring!

    Reply
  • March 13, 2020 at 9:23 pm
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    These are all great tips. Especially researching the wildlife. You never know you might visit your campsite.

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  • March 13, 2020 at 4:12 pm
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    Thanks for sharing these great tips. Camping could be fun but there is for sure a lot to consider that we don’t normally have to think about.

    Reply
  • March 13, 2020 at 3:56 pm
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    These are really great tips! I have a camping trip planned this summer so I am pinning this for later! Thank you!

    Reply
  • March 13, 2020 at 3:38 pm
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    I never thought that lightening strikes would be a major concern when camping. Although it makes sense. I always thought open spaces with high points were of concern rather than in forests. Wildlife threats would probably have been top of my mind. Great idea to carry an EpiPen and antihistamines. Worrying about thiefs is also something that sadly is a fact everywhere. Especially if you are in an isolated area. But preparing for the unexpected will at least ensure you have thought through the contingencies.

    Reply
  • March 13, 2020 at 3:25 pm
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    We go camping a lot, but always as a family. I think about a lot of these things every time we go!

    Reply
  • March 13, 2020 at 3:10 pm
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    Talking about insects. I once camped in the desert of Dubai and walked barefooted in the sand. It was cool but the following day I had a big infection at one of my toes. I had to put antibiotics and a week later I was like new but that was pretty intense …..

    Reply
  • March 12, 2020 at 11:24 pm
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    I am the queen of preparation, so this is so helpful to know what to plan for.

    Reply

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