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Camping Safety |
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Summer is a wonderful time of the year for getting to know the great outdoors. Many people take the opportunity to pack all their troubles into a backpack and go hiking in the wilderness. Many families will pack up the children and pitch a tent in a local campsite.
Whatever form of camping you choose, there are several safety precautions to consider prior to setting out on your adventure.
Before setting out, it is advisable to contact the Forest Service to see if there is a campfire ban in the area that you will be camping in. You will need to carry a camp stove if a ban is in place. Campfires are a major cause of forest fires each year, causing loss of lives, property and the forests themselves.
Each year people either lose their lives or are very seriously injured when their tents catch fire during a camping holiday. It can happen very easily and quickly but tent fires can be prevented. Some important safety guidelines are: |
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Never use matches, candles or any kind of open flame in or near a tent. |
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Build campfire downwind and several meters away from the tent. |
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Always put out the campfire completely before leaving camp or going to sleep. |
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Never refuel lamps, heaters or stoves inside a tent. |
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Never cook inside a tent. |
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Use extreme caution when handling fuel-powered lanterns and heaters inside a tent.
It is better to use battery operated equipment whenever possible. |
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Extinguish all lanterns before going to sleep. |
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Never smoke inside a tent. |
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Never store flammable liquids inside a tent. |
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Always plan ahead for your trip. Contact an experienced camping equipment supplier to suggest the best and safest equipment for the type of camping that you are planning to do. There are many good books available that give helpful tips on camping.
Above all, plan ahead, act safely and you will have a memorable experience that all of your family will enjoy. |
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