Everyone wants to relax and have fun during camping activities. However, camping safety should be a top priority before and throughout the trip.
After all, you get exposed to a variety of risks when you’re out in the wild. One minor accident may ruin the trip, or worse, a slight misstep may lead to a more serious situation.
One of the safest ways to enjoy the outdoors is going on an RV camping trip. An RV provides comfort and protection while allowing you to enjoy a close-to-nature vacation.
If you’re going on a trip to Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierras, visit Adventure in Camping and choose from their wide range of travel trailers fitted with home-like amenities like a flushed toilet, a kitchen, awnings and beds. As the leading trailer rental company in the region, we offer the largest and newest models, which we park and set up for you if you stay in one of our 80 “partner” campgrounds. Call us at (760) 935-489 to book your vacation trailer.
Continue reading below to learn more on how to make your RV camping trip safe and fun.
Read the weather forecast
It’s advisable to do your research way ahead of your camping trip, paying close attention to the route and terrain, the wildlife in the local area, and the nearby facilities and amenities (hospitals, restaurants, retailers, etc.). The idea is to know if you need some set of gear, a special type of clothing, some insect or bear repellents, etc.
You should also check the weather forecast during your camping day. An unexpected rain shower or thunderstorm may ruin your trip.
Bring a First Aid Kit
First aid kits are camp safety essentials. Various things can happen outdoors, and you must be prepared for medical emergencies.
Whether you’re buying or creating your first aid kit, ensure that it has these items:
- Compress
- Bandaids
- A pair of scissors
- Antibacterial ointments
- Tweezers
- Gauze pads
- Moleskin
- EpiPen
- Eye drops
- Cotton swabs
- Snake bite kit
- Aspirin or ibuprofen
Ensure fire safety
Roasting s’mores in a campfire is an essential camping activity. However, campfires are hazardous when left unattended.
Ensure that your group is practicing fire safety precautions for everyone’s safety. These include:
- Keeping chairs, tents and flammable items at least 15 feet away from the fire
- Putting out the fire completely before leaving it
- Never leaving the campfire unattended
- Having a water bucket nearby
Practice sun safety precautions
Being exposed to the sun may cause short- and long-term harm. And just the same, a bad sunburn is enough to get the fun out of a camping trip.
That’s why it’s recommended that you put sunscreen on, regardless of the sun’s condition. Ideally, you should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you’re exposed to the sun and reapply it throughout the day.
You should also wear protective clothing and a hat that covers your face and neck as much as possible. Lastly, stay on shaded parts and avoid overexposing yourself to the sun.
Establish camping safety
You can’t expect your smartphone’s GPS to work correctly when you’re deep in the wild. As such, keeping a physical map on hand is a good idea. It may be the one thing that can prevent you from getting lost in case your smartphone fails you.
Additionally, stay alert to your surroundings. While camping is all about relaxation and enjoyment, don’t forget that you’re in the wilderness where anything can happen.
Even though you’re on vacation, be mindful of your surroundings and don’t overindulge yourself.
Properly store your food
Food-borne diseases are a major (and unexpected) hazard when camping. Aside from ensuring that you’re eating clean food, properly store your food to keep unwanted animals away.
Here are some things you should consider when handling and storing food:
- Bring food that doesn’t require refrigeration
- Clean the surface where you’ll prepare your food
- Wash your hands when handling food
- If you’re bringing perishables, keep them in an insulated cooler
- Separate raw and cooked foods
- After you’re done eating, remove all food items from your picnic table
- Do not get food in your tent
- Store your food in your car or a bear-proof container
Don’t interfere with wildlife
Don’t get too close or touch wild animals and make sure that you properly store your food and never feed any animals you encounter.
Only drink clean water
You can avoid water-borne diseases by bringing your own water supply during a camping trip, although developed campgrounds typically have access to potable water. But if you’re hiking and there’s no “drinkable” water around, you can sterilize water from a stream or lake by bringing it to a boil.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should bring water to a full rolling boil for one minute before you consume it. Exposure to high heat kills most disease-causing viruses, bacteria and parasites.
You can also use water purification tablets to kill harmful water-borne diseases, although some types of parasites can survive this method.
Enjoy your camping trip
Once you’re done with your research and safety preparation, you can start packing your travel bag and head to the campground of your choice. Next, have fun, and make the most of your rv camping trip.
RV camping is your safest and most convenient option if you’re going on a trip to the Eastern Sierra. At Adventure in Camping, our trailers come with home-like amenities to make your nature trip as convenient as possible. Contact us at (760) 935-4890 or fill out this form to start your adventure now.