At home, most people take many measures to increase safety. Think of good locks, a smoke detector, alarm systems or a lightning rod. What about on vacation? A number of items play less, usually there are not as many valuables as at home, but it is still good to be aware of this. Read below for some useful tips. An accident is in a small corner. One annoying incident can ruin the whole holiday fun.
Camping fire prevention
You don't have to think about it, do you, fire during the camping holiday? Fire in a tent is at least as annoying as a fire in a home. Especially when you think of the fabric of which a tent is made. Extremely flammable usually. Some models do have a fire-retardant layer. What do you in any case do to reduce the risk of fire?
- However cozy it may be, do not light candles in the tent. You can of course go outside.
- Make sure the stove is stable. Preferably not too close to the tent canvas.
- Do not leave aerosol cans with propellants in the closed tent. On a hot day, with a lot of sun on the tent, the temperature inside can rise very high.
- Place a splash screen between the tent canvas and the stove during cooking.
- Do not hang gas lamps too close to the tent canvas. Of course, this also applies to petrol and kerosene lamps.
- Never walk away from the stove while cooking.
- Do not cook in the sleeping cabin or in the inner tent.
- Install a smoke detector.
- Explore the possible escape route with your whole family.
- Always keep a small fire extinguisher within reach.
Fire safety of the tent cloth
If you need a new tent, inquire about the fire safety of the fabric. Cotton cloth is safer than (untreated) polyester, acrylic, polyamide or PVA cloth. Also ask if the material has been treated with a fire retardant. You can also apply this to the canvas yourself.
Electricity at and in the tent
Camping without electricity is very primitive. I think most campers are happy that the use of electrical appliances is possible at the campsite. You will often use an inverter (from 230 to 12 volts). It is also possible to use 230 volts. Another option is the car battery. This works through the lighter or directly. What do you pay attention to to keep it as safe as possible?
- A car battery is discharged once. If you use it for various purposes, such as the refrigerator, the coffee maker and then also the lighting, it will be ready after 4 hours. If the battery is empty, you can of course no longer start the car.
- An alternative is, for example, a special caravan refrigerator. It uses much less power.
- If you opt for 230 volts, go for a special tent unit with earth leakage circuit breaker. The leakage of power is then checked and, if necessary, the power supply is also switched off.
- Proper wiring, circuitry and fuses reduce the chance of a short circuit.
- It is safest when you opt for the camping electrical supply via a splash-proof, blue CEE plug and a neoprene cable. It is important to unroll the cables completely. This prevents heat development and possible short circuits.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Of course, you only run this risk if you use a heater. This will mainly be done in a caravan. Nevertheless, what are you paying attention to?
- The combination of poor ventilation and a stove burning kerosene or gas can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. With an electric heater you run less of this risk.
- Hang up a CO detector just to be safe.
Safe use of gas bottle caravan
That gas bottle is indispensable when camping, but how do you keep it safe?
- Buy gas cylinders from an authorized point of sale.
- Only buy the gas bottle if it is sealed. Then you can be sure that it is safe and works properly. You can also rest assured that the bottle is filled with the right amount of propane gas.
- Still unexpectedly a fire near the gas bottle? Then immediately close the gas tap. If this is no longer possible, try to cool the gas bottle remotely with water. First of all, consider your own safety and that of bystanders. Call the fire brigade immediately if necessary.
- Use a pressure regulator to ensure constant pressure. This is because it depends on the temperature and it is not always the same.
- Stand the gas bottle upright.
- Replace the gas hose regularly. The most common advice is after about 5 years. This applies to orange hoses with pressed-on couplings. If you have bought a gas hose per meter and you connect it to the pillar using hose clamps, replace it every 2 years.
- Never open and close the gas tap forcibly. It should just be possible by hand. If you find that you have to use force or tools, something may not be quite right. If the gas tap does not open, always return it to the supplier.
- Do not smoke or light a fire near the gas cylinder.
- Place the gas cylinders in a well-ventilated area. Of course, outside is always good.
- If you change the gas bottle, close the gas tap. You also do this when you are finished using it.
What to do in a thunderstorm
Still typical for hot summer days: in the evening a heavy thunderstorm. Some campers enjoy it and others are terrified. Either way, thunderstorms always carry a risk. Especially when you stay in a tent. What security measures can you take?
- Since a tent offers no protection against a possible lightning strike, a grounding package is important.
- If a thunderstorm is approaching, close the windows and doors of the caravan and motorhome.
- Disconnect the connection to the electricity pole.
- Store any cords safely indoors.
- Antennas and dishes are perfect lightning rods, so fold them in or take them out.
Where do you stay during a thunderstorm
At home you probably don't think about this for a moment and you don't have to. If you are camping in a tent, however, it will be a different story. What can you do?
- For example, go to the canteen or the reception, preferably a stone building.
- You are also safe in the car.
Where is your tent most safe?
When looking for a place at the campsite, keep the following in mind:
- Do not stand on the highest point of the campsite.
- The lowest point is also not useful. If it rains a lot and/or hard, you run the greatest risk of flooding.
- Not too close to metal posts or fences.
- Do not put the tent under a tree.
The chance that lightning will strike your tent is of course very small. But taking some precautions is always good. If you are not able to take shelter in a caravan, car or stone building, then squat in the middle of the tent. Preferably on a dry mat and as far away from the tent poles as possible.
Strong wind while camping
A storm can also arise during your camping holiday. What measures do you then take and also in advance?
- Is there a chance of a lot of wind and are you going away for a while? Then check all the tensioning points of the tent.
- Keep items that easily blow away indoors.
- From about wind force 7 it is sensible to anchor them with most tent types.
- Secure the mud flaps securely with pegs. You can also use stones. Is the tent canvas properly taut? Otherwise it could tear.
- Because the wind easily hits under awnings, it is better to roll them up when the wind is blowing hard.
Safe on holiday with children
The great thing about children is that they live in the now. They play and enjoy and often see no danger. It is therefore up to you to make their environment as safe as possible. What do you pay special attention to when camping?
- Tell them never to touch the electrical appliances and the stove.
- Do not let the children stand directly next to you while you are cooking.
- If there are play equipment on the campsite and your child is still young, stay close by yourself.
- Always pay extra attention if there is water or a busy road near the tent.
- When you are cooking, do not let the children play with a ball in your vicinity.
- Special holders are available that clamp the pans on the fire.
- Drive pegs and stakes as far into the ground as possible. Colored pens are also useful in that regard because they stand out much more. There are also special protective caps for sale. Of course you can also just put a plastic cup upside down over it.
- If your child sleeps in a large sleeping bag, fold it in half lengthwise. This prevents your child from crawling too deeply into it while sleeping.
- Place the tent in a place with sufficient shade. Great for your child's afternoon nap.
- Always take a comprehensive first aid kit with you. Of course, this contains plasters and gauze, but tick tweezers and mosquito repellent are also indispensable.
- Hang a mosquito net over your child's bed.
Hygiene while camping
Hygiene is an important point of attention, especially when you camp in a warm country. Or what do you think of shared sanitary facilities? A number of points for attention to increase safety in this area:
- In warm countries, the water sometimes contains bacteria. When in doubt, do not let children drink it. Rather give them bottled water. For this reason, do not buy unpackaged ice cream at, for example, stalls that you encounter along the way.
- Boil bottles and teats even more often than at home.
- Just to be sure, go with your child if he or she wants to go to the toilet at the campsite. Washing your hands is always important, but especially when camping. It may also be useful to keep the shoes on during the toilet visit.
Every parent's fear: losing a child
The children often get a little more freedom on holiday than at home. You will also not be the only one who enjoys dozing off in the heat. But where has your son or daughter gone? Prevent this panic and take measures beforehand:
- Hang your child with an SOS medallion. On the note, state your name, address and telephone number. If necessary, also the blood group of your child.
- On arrival, take a tour of the campsite with your child. Of course this depends on the age of your son or daughter. Also point out any salient landmarks.
- Agree clearly how far your child can go from the tent. For example, to the red house or to the sandbox.
Bring a caravan safe
Your most valuable belongings may have been left at home, but you should not think about intruders in your tent. You often walk away from your place, especially when camping. You just have to walk by the wrong person and you lose your money, laptop or tablet. A caravan safe is certainly not a luxury in that regard.
Leave most valuables at home
It is annoying to have to be wary of burglars even on vacation. While camping you want to relax and enjoy. It can give you peace of mind just not to take your valuables with you. Do you really need a laptop and tablet in the tent? If you do have valuables in the tent, always close the zipper when you walk away. A lock on the zipper often turns out to have a negative effect in practice. Invites extra to take a look inside your tent. So don't do that.
Safe camping is oh so easy
A whole list of tips you may think. Wouldn't it be better to stay at home instead of setting up the tent? Fortunately, that is certainly not the case. Go out and enjoy your well-deserved holiday and rest. You probably already recognize many tips and if you see a new tip, make your profit with it. A nice vacation!