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UK Camping Guide

Author: Jack More | Date: 26/09/2007

Category: Camping | Subscribe: | Share It:

Article Tags: Camping, Camping Safety

Camping is fun and can be a great way of relaxing and bonding with family and friends, it’s also a great way to meet new like minded people but while it’s fun we still have to think safety.

If your going camping on your own make sure you tell people where you are going and give them the exact location of where you are staying, also think about taking a map and compass with you if your out in the wild.

Sometimes the reason for people going camping is to get away from the rat race for some peace and quiet but make sure you take some kind of communication device you with like a mobile phone, it would also be a good idea to take some two-way radios with you so you can communicate with friends or loved ones if you or they happen to get lost. Packing a GPS device with you is a great idea as well, but don’t forget the good old map and compass as a back up solution.

If you plan on hiking your way to a campsite then make sure everyone is in good health, if you have young children then arrange to get them to your camping area before you go, the same goes for older people as taking long walks over rugged terrain may make them tired or aggravate health problems.Muggings and sexual assaults can happen and have no doubt happened in the past when people have been camping so make sure you stick together, safety in numbers. If you have been the victim of a crime then make sure you report it to the police and/or campsite warden right away.

Be aware of your surroundings. If your camping out in a woodland area make sure you tell the kids not to go off on their own, look out for any potentially dangerous areas like lakes, ridges and marshes, and never approach wild animals. Also never eat anything you find on the plants and trees unless you are absolutely 110% sure you know what it is you are eating, and never drink water from lakes or rivers.

Remember to check the weather forecast before you set off so you know roughly what kind of clothes to pack, if it’s cold and rainy you want to wrap up warm so you don’t become ill.

If you or anyone you are camping with smokes then make sure the cigarette is put out properly and never throw it down still lit, you could put water on it or stub out it in sand (as long as it’s not part of a kids play area).

Take a first aid kit with you, if you are unsure what to take in this then visit your local outdoors shop and tell them where you are going, most first aid packs contain the basics. If your still in doubt visit your local GP and ask there.

If you need to see in the dark make sure you use a torch and never use a candle because hot wax may drip on you or it may catch fire, your tent is highly flammable a long with your clothes, sleeping bag and other material. In case of a fire get everyone out quickly but calmly and call the fire service as quick as you can. Try to give an exact location to the fire rescue crew so they can get to you quickly, if you do not know your exact location then tell them of any landmarks, pubs, farms, or nearby roads. You should also alert any campers near you in case the fire spreads, and remember, never smoke in a tent.

When setting up your tent make sure you keep it at least 6 meters away from your neighbours because you do not want to stumble over guy ropes in the night and hurt yourself.

Never have a campfire near your tent or inside your tent, fire can easily spread and get out of control.

Make sure you keep any valuable items on you and do not leave them in the tent, slash and grab theft can occur where the thief will cut through your tent with a sharp object such as a knife and steal anything they see as worth taking.

You may want to put a padlock on your zip to stop anyone looking inside your tent but just beware that to a thief having a lock on your tent might make them think you have something worth taking inside.

If you find a stranger inside your tent do not attempt to drag the person out by force and do not start arguing, alert a campsite warden or tell someone near by.

If your travelling in a caravan make sure you install a fire alarm and check that it works and never block any air vents. When you cook never leave fat pans unattended and keep matches and lighters away from children, have a fire extinguisher next to the main exit.

If there is a smoker in the caravan make sure they put the cigarette out in a metal ashtray and never use any paper cups or paper plates.

Remember to never leave any gas bottles in side the caravan and if you suspect a gas leak never smoke or use a lighter/matches, open up all doors and windows and make sure you turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve. Never fit any gas appliances yourself, make sure you get a Corgi Registered installer to do it for you. To find a registered installer visit the Trust Corgi website.

Make sure that when you tow your caravan it doesn’t present any danger on the road. For more information check the NTTA Guide To Safe & Legal Towing.

When you leave your caravan unattended make sure you close all the windows and lock the doors. If you have any bikes and toys makes sure you chain them up before leaving or even put them in the caravan before you go out.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/camping-articles/uk-camping-guide-221355.html

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