8 of the Worst Camp Safety Mistakes

 

Venturing out into nature to experience the great variety of available camping activities has long been popular and, with spring here and summer on the way, the time to start making plans is now.  While some folks might be impulsive in deciding to go camping, there's something to be said about being properly prepared.  Like every Boy Scout learns, "Be Prepared" are words to live by to help avoid common camp safety mistakes.

The Worst Camp Safety Mistakes

In no particular order, following are some of the worst camp safety mistakes:

• Failure to complete some minimal pre-planning for your trip could be a big mistake.  Use a written checklist to help keep organized.  This should be checked and double-checked before leaving home for your camping trip.
• Failing to protect yourself from wild animals while camping or hiking can be the cause of inconvenience, injury or even death.  It's important to know what type of wildlife frequents the area you're planning to visit to take precautions to deter visits from critters and to protect yourself and your family.  Click here to find out more.

Bears in the Wild

Besides potential visits from small animals such as raccoons, possums or skunks, bears can be a real problem in some camping areas, especially if you're not in an established campground.  It's a mistake not to know how to deter bears from invading your campsite ore, if they do, how to react to them.  Bears coming into your camp are there for one reason - they want food (and human beings are not their preferred or typical food).  Consider these important tips:

1. Your food should be stored and cooked at least 100 yards away from where you'll be sleeping.
2. Food should not be kept in your tent.
3. Don't bed down in the same clothes you wore while cooking.
4. Food should be kept in airtight containers and a locking cooler.  These can be tied with rope and hoisted up a pole or a tree, at least seven feet from ground level.  As an alternative, lock food in your car trunk. 
5. Bears are attracted to garbage.  Put yours in doubled plastic bags and store in your car trunk.
6. If you meet a bear out on the trail don't make eye contact.  Speak in a low, calm voice while backing up.  Don't turn your back on a bear or run away.  Spray with bear repellent spray.