When Lightning Strikes

Camping is a time of fun and relaxation; but there are certain safety precautions that you need to take with you on any camping trip. Even in the middle of summer, thunder storms bring the threat of lightening; and lightning, while beautiful and exciting, is quite dangerous to the camper or hiker. The National Weather Service statistics state that on average more than 70 people in the US die from lightning strikes each year, while at least 300 are struck and survive. Learn what to do in the event of lightening and you will stay safer, and be able to keep others safe as well.

· If you are hiking on a hillside or mountaintop or even a ridgeline, get to lower ground as quickly and safely as possible.

· Avoid open areas as well as shallow areas such as under an overhang. If you are the only thing in a wide open space, you are a target.

· Move away or avoid tall, stand-alone objects like a post or a tall tree. Lightning has a way of finding such objects.

· When there is lightning, you want to be away from water and metal. It’s always safe to leave your camping supplies behind especially if it contains metal or water. These materials act as a conductor for electricity.

· If you are in a group when a thunderstorm hits, the best thing to do is separate yourselves. One large group huddled together is more dangerous in the long run. Keep about 30 feet distance between one another.

· Seek shelter in a building if possible. In a campground, this may be the bathroom. While the shelter may not be the very best in terms of comfort, it is the very best in terms of safety.

· If there are no buildings to go for shelter, you can retreat to your car or to your tent. Do not touch any metal!

· If you seek shelter in your tent, squat down onto your sleeping pad. You want a buffer between you and the ground.

· Do NOT seek shelter under a picnic table or in a dwelling like a gazebo.

· The best place to go if you are on a hike or away from any buildings is to a low lying group of trees that are all about the same height.

A thunderstorm can be a fascinating thing to experience while camping; but you need to know how to stay safe in the event you do encounter one. Given the statistics, the instances of lightning strikes are relatively low; so don’t forego the camping trip altogether. Instead, be aware of the rules of safety and know what to do. Even if you have prepared with all the complete camping supplies, heading out to nature with safety precautions in place is the best way to travel.

Tips for Keeping Bugs Where They Belong

When you are enjoying life at home, you do not like bugs inside of your house. Well, camping is no different, really. Just because you are in the great outdoors doesn’t mean you want to share your sleeping quarters with the natives. If you are nodding your head as you read this, then you may want to follow some or all of these tips to make your camping trip more enjoyable.

Eliminating bug problems on your camping trip begins before you ever pack the car with all of your goodies. Before you hit the road, pull out your camping equipment like your trusty old tent and give it a good inspection. This means you have to unpack it all the way. You need to look at all zippers to make sure they zip completely. If you have a snagged zipper, you may be able to loosen it with some WD40 or other lubricant. Holes are another area where bugs can sneak into your tent. Working diligently through all sides of your tent, you can find any holes and repair them. You need to remember that bugs want in, and they are resourceful; so no matter how small a hole you find, fix it. You will be glad you did.

Once you reach your naturally beautiful destination, you will be ready to set up camp. Where you pitch your tent and other camping equipment will play a part in how many bugs you encounter. Bugs like trees and bushes, so if you can set your tent up AWAY from these things, you will see less bugs. Depending on the weather, it is understandable that some people find it necessary to pitch their tent under a shady tree; but doing so will increase the likelihood of bugs.

Bugs also like light; so if you keep a lantern or flashlight inside of your tent at night, be very certain to close all openings up tight. In fact, you should enter the tent with the light off and turn it on only when you are nestled safely inside. You will find that within just a few minutes of having the light on inside your tent, the sides are covered with insects.

Some bugs also love sugar and food. Clearly, this is why ants love picnics! So eating and drinking anything besides water inside of your tent is a huge no-no. There are occasions where you may have to store food in your tent. This is ok when you have airtight containers to store ALL food in. Not storing in airtight containers will leave you with uninvited guests and a huge headache.

It goes without saying that bug repellent spray is a big part of any camping trip. However, some people go as far as spraying the outside of their tent with this repellent. If you want to give this a try, you may want to start out with a small area to make sure you can handle the smell. It would put a damper on your night if you spray your entire tent only to find the scent of the repellent to be overwhelming to your senses!

If repellent on your tent is a no-go for you, there is also garlic and onions, which some people swear by. You could hang a few cloves and cut onions outside of your tent for starters. Also, leave your fire going if you can. While bugs love light, fire is a huge turn off for your winged guests and will keep them at a distance. When you are in camp, even during the day, you should leave your fire going as long as an adult can keep an eye on it.

Bugs belong in nature, yes; just not in your campsite!