Camping Safety Tips

Disaster can strike at any time and when you’re out on the road knowing a few key camping safety tips for Australia and Australian conditions, can make the difference between a safe trip and a seriously bad situation.

Prepare by Following Pre-trip Camping Safety Tips

Preparation and proactive thinking are the key to having a fun, safe camping trip. By following a handful of tips and getting everything ready before the hour of departure you will save yourself a lot of grief should some kind of emergency situation occur.

First of all, pack your camping first aid kit. There's more information here.

Fire brigades respond to countless fires related to camping. Ensuring your family knows fire safety and that you have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket on hand are essential. Purchase an emergency kit like the ones found at the Emergency First Aid Pty Ltd site and take it with you on every camping trip, no matter how long.

Always heed precautionary warnings when related to weather or road conditions. Having a radio on hand will keep you informed of these happenings.

Know your route and let someone that’s not going on your vacation with you know where you’re going and when you’re expected back. Take a detailed map or Global Positioning System (GPS) with you in case you get lost.

Know Your Camping Equipment

There are a number of useful tips for equipment use and purchase for camping:

Buy a fire retardant tent and always pitch your tent away from open flame. Never cook in your tent.
Buy a water purifier or water purification tablets. Advise your children early that it’s not always safe to drink from open streams.
Check gas connections before you leave home and after you arrive at your destination. Never leave gas on overnight.
Do a vehicle check over before you go. Make sure the air pressure in the tires is good, including the spare tire. Make sure all power connections are working, your trailer hitch fits and pack an extra canister of petrol in case you run out. Having extra spark plugs, jack and crow bar are good for minor vehicle fixes.

Setting up Camp Safety Tips

Setting up camp can seem simple, but you should place your equipment in a certain way so as to keep it safe for you and from intruders.

Pack food away in tight containers in your vehicle, away from tents. Animals can smell food from miles away and they’ll take what they can. This is the same for scented products like soaps and even toothpaste. It’s also recommended to not sleep in the clothing you cooked in. Clean barbecues and grills after they’re used.

Keep your fire a safe distance from the camper, tents and vehicle. Also make sure your fire is contained in a pit of some sort and away from trees and long grass. Always put out your fire when no one’s around to keep an eye on it. Visit the FESA website to learn more about bushfire safety. If you see any signs of a bushfire vacate the area immediately.

A few simple setup tips include:

Pitch your tent on a raised area in case of flooding.
Keep all gas connections away from open flame.
Stake solar lights around your main camping area for visibility during those late night washroom excursions.

As they say, always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If you're fully prepared and follow these camping safety tips you'll ensure a fun camping trip for everyone.

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