Hiking Camping Safety Tips which are essentials

Camping is fun for everybody, but you should be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself and your family. Common sense is paramount, but you should still know the basics in order to anticipate and deal with the more everyday incidents such as cuts, grazes and insect bites.

Safety should be the most important thing to consider when preparing for your camping out trip.

Here are a few things to think about before your next excursion.

1) Take a first aid kit

Make sure it is fully kitted out and replenished on a regular basis. This should contain items such as antiseptic cream/spray, bandages, plasters, tweezers, ibuprofen, paracetamol, insect bite/sting spray.

2) Have a charged and working mobile phone at all times

Think about how you are going to keep the phone charged. If the reception is poor upon arrival, think about how you will contact the emergency services should the need arise.

3) Look for dangerous items around camping spot before pitching the tent

Smashed glass or sharp items sticking out of the ground could cause problems when hidden by the base of the tent.

4) Campfire safety

If constructing a campfire, check the prevailing wind. Ensure that your tents, and other people's tents, are well out of range from your fire. Keep children and animals away from your campfire. Ensure you have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water at hand at all times.

5) Dehydration

Something that is not considered until it is too late. Ensure that everybody drinks adequate amounts of liquid during the day, especially if the weather is hot.

Dehydration can creep up quickly (especially on a hot summer's day) and cause serious problems. The symptoms of dehydration include pale, cool, clammy skin, rapid breathing, excessive thirst, excessive and prolonged sweating, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes in children.

If these symptoms are present, immediately get the sufferer in shade and have them completely rest. Also, remove any unnecessary clothing. Finally, drink cool water.

6) The nearest hospital

Find out where this is before leaving home. Hopefully, this should never need to be visited, but it is useful to know roughly in which direction to drive should you need to get there urgently.

7) Be careful if you go hiking alone

Ensure that somebody knows where you have gone. Consider whether anybody is likely to know where you are should get stuck at in the middle of nowhere with a broken leg.