General Travel Information

Put safety first on your next camping trip

For many North Americans, the beginning of the summer season marks the perfect time to get away and relax on a camping trip. To ensure your camping trip is filled with fun experiences and good memories, the leisure team at Canadian Tire has put together the following safety checklist.

• Take a first aid kit. Include antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, a snake bite kit, pain relievers and sunscreen. Be prepared for any minor injury, however unlikely.

• Don't forget to pack a map, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high energy food, water and insect protection.

• Plan your trip so that you arrive at your campsite with enough daylight to check the site carefully and set up camp.

• Look thoroughly for potential hazards such as glass, sharp objects, large ant beds, poison ivy and hazardous terrain.

• Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-coloured clothing and not using perfumes or colognes.

• Build your campfire in a safe area. Never leave it unattended. Same applies to your camp stove.

• Never leave food out in the open and always dispose of garbage properly so you do not attract unwanted insects or animals. Pack it in the car at night.

• Wash your hands thoroughly, particularly before handling food, to prevent the spread of bacteria.

  – News Canada