Camping is a great way to take a break and be out in nature. And if you’re anything like us, you also love dreaming about nights around the campfire eating s’mores and other goodies!
Are you preparing for a camping trip this summer?
Whether your style is to rent a cottage by the lake, take a tent into the back country, or drive an RV cross-country, camping dangers can always occur. Being prepared and knowing a few key tips can go a long way to making your experience more safe and fun for everyone.
Here are our top 3 concerns:
1) Fire
Camping isn’t camping without a good fire to sit around – the warmth of the embers, the crackling flames, the fresh-cooked meals, yum! But fires in the area where you sleep, eat, cook, and play bring a lot of hazards. Make sure your fire pit isn’t too close to your supplies, like tables and gear. Where possible, you’ll also want to have some kind of ring around your fire. You can make this with rocks if you don’t have anything else. Always have something nearby so you can put out the fire properly. This could be as simple as a shovel, and water or dirt. If you have young kids, try drawing a big circle around the fire area to show a no-running zone.
2) Food
Preparing meals when you’re camping can be a lot different than when you’re at home. With limited supplies, different cooling systems, and different cooking methods; it’s important to pay closer attention to safe food handling. Try having two separate food areas – one cooler for uncooked food and one cooler for cooked food is just one example. A meat thermometer is also a handy tool to have in your camp kitchen. Cooking on an open flame is a lot different than using an oven so take the meat’s temperature directly from the centre, and always clean the thermometer after you use it!
3) Wildlife
Seeing animals in their natural habitat can be one of the most exciting parts of camping, but it can also be dangerous. Familiarize yourself with the animals in the area and how to respond to them if you run into one unexpectedly. If you’re camping farther north, bears can be a problem. Never keep food in your tent and whenever possible, hang food from a tree to protect it from bears. Make your cooking area separate from your sleeping area. Distance means safety. But don’t forget respect! Wild animals aren’t pets and you should never try to pet them, catch them, or ride them.
Staying safe while camping will help you get the most out of your trip. With just a little bit of preparation and a few key tips, you’ll be able to have a relaxing and worry-free vacation!
And remember, if you’re doing your camping in an RV this summer; make sure to have it properly insured under your auto insurance plan. Find an agent to help you today!