Ways to Make Your Campsite Feel Safer
center stage over the smartphone text notifications (if you even have any service out there). A hike to the lake is substituted for your usual hike to the office. And the refreshing air of the outdoors replaces the stale indoor air you’ve sadly become accustomed to in your concrete jungle.
Before you dive into a long-awaited summer or fall camping trip, though, remember that staying safe in the wild is just as important as having fun in it.
Here are a few ways to make your campsite feel safer as you pack up the tent and make the outdoors your new home for a few days.
First Aid
One of the most important ways to make your campsite feel more secure as you connect with nature is to have a First Aid kit on hand.
Many parks featuring campsites are in locations that are remote, which means that medical assistance may not be readily available. For this reason, you should always take First Aid supplies with you. A well-stocked, comprehensive kit should include bandages as well as antiseptic cream for cleaning up cuts, bites, or scratches. In a medical emergency, such supplies can help you to begin treating injuries right away until professional medical aid arrives.
Water Filter
If you’re concerned about your safety on your next camping trip, don’t head for the campsite without a water filter in tow. The LifeStraw personal water filter is a favorite of ours, allowing you to drink water from a wide variety of sources without having to worry about getting sick from it. That’s because the device is designed to filter contaminated water, removing nearly all protozoa and bacteria that can cause illness. The LifeStraw offers the benefit of being lightweight and small as well, making it perfect to take on all of your hikes when you go camping.
Camping Utensils
Be sure to also add a set of camping utensils to your pack if you’re serious about making your campsite feel safer. Without these tools, you won’t be equipped to quickly and efficiently prepare, serve, and eat meat and other food items while out in the wild.
Ideally, your set of tools should include a corkscrew, can opener, spoon, fork, and knife. Having these tools on hand means you can avoid having to turn a stick into a makeshift food shovel in a pinch. (We don’t recommend it.)
Make Your Next Camping Trip Safer and More Fulfilling Than Ever
Camping provides you the opportunity to unplug, reduce your stress levels, and even increase your physical fitness. However, if you’re not careful, this outdoor activity—meant to improve your health—might end up presenting safety issues that will make your trip a bust.
Consider the above-listed tips for making your campsite feel safer as you head out to a state or national park this season. With some preparation and patience, you can make your upcoming trip a fun and secure outing that the whole family will recount for years to come.