10 Important Safety Rules for Camping

In many countries there are specially prepared camping areas that offer many services. In other nations there is less control and so it is very important to be precautionary. No matter what your situation is, make sure you always camp in a designated area or at least make sure you get information on the safest area to camp in the area.

Do not camp in banned sites as you could have an unpleasant experience. Established camping areas have a minimum level of supervision from authorities and are theoretically safe spaces. For this reason it is best to respect the rules and limit yourself to these areas.

Put up your tent on land that is as flat as possible and never on surfaces where it could collapse like trees, swamps, etc. It is also important that your tent is away from the sea or river bed, not only to prevent tides coming in and flooding, but also to stay away from animals that could live in the water and could harm you.

Take into account the wind when setting up your tent. If you are in an area where there is a lot of wind, you should set up camp against it to protect you against the wind and to prevent it from pulling down your tent.

Do not make campfires unless you are in a clear area with no fire risk, no wind and in an area where it is allowed.

If you decide to make a campfire, at least make sure that it is away from the tents because a spark can be the start of a fire. Again the recommendation is to avoid them.

However, if you want to avoid accidents it's much better to bring a portable gas stove than to light a campfire because it might get out of control or not be put out completely and cause a fire.

Always carry a first aid kit with all the essentials you can see in the image below, as well as a charged mobile phone, a compass, a GPS and a map of the area where you find yourself with the nearest villages marked. Nowadays, there are many hiking apps that work as a compass and can help you in many situations.

You may also want to pack a survival kit if you are camping on a hiking trail too.

Stay in a group and avoid exploring the area on your own if you do not know the area where you're camping, especially at night. If you do, remember to take something that can safely guide you back to the Campsite.

Always carry enough non-perishable food, such as tinned food, and plenty of water to stay properly hydrated. For a full list, take a look at our article on the best food to take when mountain hiking. You should also consult the weather forecast for the days when you are planning on camping.

Remember that you are camping in nature, which is home to many other creatures. Be aware of signs that may indicate the presence of animals and avoid camping in the area:

• Beehives hanging from trees or wasp nests on the floor
• Search in between rocks and bushes to see if there are any snakes
• Make sure there is no food around the camping area to prevent bears and crocodiles from coming near.

Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas can come from heaters, lanterns, charcoal grills etc. A build up of carbon monoxide could cause illness and even death and the worst part of it is that humans cannot see it or smell it. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not use any source of heating inside the tent, completely extinguish any fires you may have made, and try to keep gas stoves away from the tent in a safe place.

Never leave the city to camp without informing a family member or friend as a prevention method. Inform them where you are going, where you plan to camp and when you are planning on returning. If you are going camping with friends or family, what's left is to have fun!

If you want to read similar articles to 10 Important Safety Rules for Camping, we recommend you visit our Recreational activities category.

Tips

• Following these simple safety rules will allow you to enjoy your trip safely.