(ARA)
*
Make camp before dark. Traveling after darkness has resulted
in many accidents from falls, so travel during daylight
whenever possible.
*
Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check thoroughly
for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison
ivy, bees and hazardous terrain.
*
Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the contour of the
land and for potential trouble due to rain.
*
Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room
to spread your gear.
*
Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel burning
appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent
ignition from sparking flames and heat.
*
Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have
an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically
– a grill or stone surface is ideal.
*
Beware when encountering wildlife. Use a flashlight at night
– many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight
may warn them away. To ward off bears, keep your campsite
clean and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment
or utensils out in the open.
*
Watch out for bugs. Avoid attracting stinging insects by
wearing light colored clothing and avoiding perfume and
cologne.
*
Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any
dangerous plants that are common to the area where you are
camping.
*
Think before you drink. No matter how clean or pure stream
water looks, it’s likely to contain water-borne parasites
and microorganisms that can cause discomfort or serious
illness.
These
camping tips, along with related safety information, can
be found on the USDA Forest Service Web site www.fs.fed.us
Courtesy
of ARA Content
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