Don’t you just love the great outdoors? Whether it’s camping in the wilderness or a road trip across the country, there are plenty of experiences to be had, memories to be made, and boots to get muddy.

Camping is a neglected activity nowadays. Holidays usually consist of sandy beaches and luxurious resorts. After all, most people would pick a comfortable hotel room over a dark and chilly tent in the outdoors—and who could blame them? The adventurous outdoors aren’t for everyone, but for the brave few that enjoy being one with nature, a holiday full of mysteries and fun awaits them.

However, camping isn’t all fun and games and there are a lot of health and safety concerns to worry about. You aren’t pampered like you would be in a hotel, so make sure to follow these guidelines and watch out for danger at all times.

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Wildlife

Animals can be unpredictable and deadly if frightened. Never get too close to an animal without warning it. Always make noise when approaching an animal so that you don’t scare it and cause it to attack you. Don’t feed animals, no matter how friendly or harmless they look.

Make sure to camp a safe distance away from any wildlife. Check that the area you plan to camp in is safe and free from dangerous wildlife, but if you do encounter aggressive animals then it’s recommended that you move away from the area or flee to safety. In the event of an aggressive animal attack like from a bear, leave your belongings and head back into your vehicle where it’s safer

Cooking Equipment

Open flames are the most common cooking tool when camping, and it’s important that you keep fires under control. Never cook on an uneven surface and always cook away from camping equipment and tents. You should always be careful so that you don’t knock over hot pots and flames. You’re in the wilderness after all, so you could potentially start a forest fire if you aren’t careful.

Carbon Monoxide

It’s a tasteless, odourless and invisible gas that can kill without warning. It’s produced when fuel such as charcoal or petrol burns incompletely due to your cooking equipment being faulty, or out of pure chance with a working appliance. When it’s highly concentrated, it can kill extremely quickly. In small doses, the symptoms include headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and nausea.

The best way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is to never take cooking equipment into a tent or caravan to keep the area warm. Always use cooking tools outside a tent in the open. You might also want to carry a portable carbon monoxide alarm that’ll warn you if the levels are too high.

Water

You’ll also need to learn how long can water be stored. Never drink from lakes and ponds that you find if you want to be on the safe side—there’s no telling what it could be contaminated with. Make sure you bring plenty of drinking water, and always carry more than you think you’ll need in case there’s an emergency. You also want to avoid using dirty water to wash unless absolutely necessary. Carrying a water tank with you is a great option because it can store a lot of water for a long period of time.