Camping offers all sorts of joys: an affordable getaway, time to commune with nature, and abundant recreation opportunities. Wisconsin offers a camper’s paradise, with more than 6,000 campsites available within state parks alone.
“There’s so much to love about camping,” says Tina Bettin, a Nurse Practitioner with ThedaCare Physicians-Manawa. “Whether you’re enjoying time in nature with family and friends or on your own, always stay prepared and make yourself aware of potential health and safety concerns.”
10 Camping Safety Considerations
1. Weather
Weather can change in an instant. Follow these guidelines.
- Stay up to date on forecasts for your camping trip, and plan ahead.
- For remote trips where cell phone coverage is spotty, bring a small hand-crank emergency radio for weather updates.
- Have rain gear with you, particularly when you’re far away from shelter.
- Storms can arrive swiftly and become severe suddenly. Know where to take shelter in high winds, lightning and hail. If you can hear thunder, take shelter. Lightning can travel 10 or 12 miles or more from a thunderstorm.
2. Sun/heat
Don’t let sunburn or heat-related illness ruin your vacation.
- Even in cloudy weather, you can get sunburned. Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
- Consider wearing a hat, sunglasses and UPF clothing.
- In the summer sun, avoid drinking alcohol, which can dehydrate you faster.
- Drink plenty of water, and stay ahead of thirst.
- Watch for signs of dehydration, which include thirst, headaches, decreased urination and dark-colored urine. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve within an hour.
3. Fire
Enjoy the simple pleasures of sitting around a campfire, but do so safely.
- Build fires only in areas designated for that purpose.
- Keep a 10-foot area around the fire, and keep it clear of flammable objects.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Adults should always supervise campfires and be aware of where children are in relation to the fire. Don’t let kids run or engage in horseplay around campfires.
- Keep yourself and others safe from potential wildfires. Before you leave your campground, pour water on the fire, stir it with a shovel, and then pour more water onto the ashes. If the fire pit or barbeque is too hot to touch, don’t leave it.
4. Air
Take care and watch for changes in air quality.
- If you’re in a sensitive group or have young or old family members with you, use an app or check the weather reports to check air quality.
- Plan ahead and bring N95-rated face masks in case of a shift in air quality.
5. Water
Ensure everyone stays safe on the water.
- Know the swimming proficiency of everyone in your party, and always have an adult on duty when young children are playing in the water.
- Never swim alone.
- If swimming in a lake, river or cloudy water, wear a bathing suit that’s highly visible underwater. Choose a neon hue of yellow, orange, green or pink, or highly contrasting patterns. Avoid dark colors, camouflage and blacks/blues. If a suit of this color is not possible, consider wearing neon-colored bands on all extremities or something else that’s neon-colored.
- Wear life jackets any time you’re in or on a water craft of any kind.
- Have a cellphone on hand and ready to call for help if needed.
6. Animals
Enjoy wildlife … from afar.
- Properly store food both to keep it away from animals and to prevent attracting critters to your campground.
- An insulated cooler is enough to deter raccoons and opossums. If you’re camping in an area where bears may be present — which includes most of Wisconsin — follow campground guidelines for food storage, or bring bear-resistant containers.
- Don’t keep food in your tent with you. Out West, campgrounds may be equipped with metal “bear boxes” in which to store food and other scented items to protect campsites from grizzly bear visits. Make sure to use them.
- If you do encounter a bear or other large animal while hiking, making noise is usually enough to scare them away.
- Remain watchful while driving. Collisions with deer are the most common way people are injured by animals in Wisconsin.
7. Bugs
Mosquito and tick bites can be bothersome or worse. Take precautions.
- Avoid standing water and areas with long grass.
- If hiking, stay on marked trails.
- Wear long, light-colored pants and long sleeves. Tuck pants into socks.
- Use EPA-registered repellents to keep bugs away.
- Consider treating clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
8. Food
Camping cuisine is part of the fun. Plan ahead for safety.
- Consider how you’ll keep items cool when needed.
- Always wash or sanitize your hands thoroughly before handling food.
- Keep raw foods, particularly meat, separate from other foods.
- Avoid cross-contamination, such as meat juices dripping on a cutting board used for other foods.
- Discard leftovers and unused food unless you replenish ice in your cooler. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Insulate your cooler with a blanket or tarp at your campsite.
- Bring enough safe water to drink and to clean dishes and utensils.
9. Bacteria and Viruses
Keeping hands clean can take extra effort, but it’s worth it.
- Pack bottled water, soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer and/or disposable towelettes so you have what you need to wash your hands if clean water is not readily available.
- Know the limits of hand sanitizer. It’s less effective if hands are greasy or dirty. It’s also not effective against norovirus and other “stomach bugs.”
10. Cuts and Scrapes
Have the right supplies on hand.
- Have a first-aid kit with you for small emergencies.
- Tailor your kit to individual needs, such as including an EpiPen for those who may have an allergic reaction during your trip. In general, you should include items like:
- Adhesive bandages and gauze pads/tape for small cuts and scrapes
- Antihistamines, antibacterial ointment and pain-relief medications
- Tweezers for splinters
- Insect sting/anti-itch meds
- Antibacterial liquid and/or wipes
- Gloves
Stay Safe and Have Fun
Keeping ahead of potential risks can ensure your camping memories are happy and that you’ll be ready to plan your next adventure.
“We encourage camping enthusiasts to enjoy this beloved pastime and to stay safe while doing so,” Bettin says.
