Camping, Biking, & Hiking Safety
Camping
- Prepare safe food and water by packing it in tight water proof containers or bags. Keep them in insulated containers.
- Wash hands and surfaces often. Use hand sanitizer if water is not available.
- Separate raw and cooked foods
- Cook foods to the proper temperatures.
- Chill foods promptly.
- Bring sturdy shoes and helmets if you choose to bike or hike.
- Avoid poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
- Know your limits on physical activities. Adults should get 2.5 hours and a child 1 hour a day.
- NEVER use grills, lanterns or heaters inside tents, campers or enclosed spaces. This will lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas and is deadly.
- Bring adequate bedding and clothing to prevent hypothermia.
- Put a plastic cloth or tarp on the ground under your tent to prevent moisture from penetrating the tent.
- Avoid feeding and touching wild animals which could carry diseases.
- Make sure family pets are vaccinated and keep a close eye on them. Check for ticks regularly.
- Use an insect repellant with DEET to exposed skin. Wear long sleeved light colored clothing to spot ticks easier.
- Protect your skin with sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher.
- If you plan to swim, don't swim if you have diarrhea, and never swim alone. Wear a life jacket if you plan to boat or kayak.
- Learn about security at your camping location and tell friends and family where you will be.
- Be prepared with a first-aid kit, compass, map, flashlight, blankets, batteries, food, water, and clothes.
Biking
- Wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads.
- Stay visible to others with lights and bright-colored clothing.
- Look and signal to drivers when riding on the road.
- Stay alert and look for obstacles in your path.
- When on the road, bike in the direction of traffic.
- Make sure your bike's brakes work and wheels are secured properly.
- Don't get distracted talking on cell phones or listen to music while riding a bike.
- Obey all traffic laws while riding on the road.
- Know your body limitations, never overexert yourself.
- Know where you are and where you are going and plan safety exits if you need to get out for services while mountain biking.
- Take a map, gps or compass if you have not been on this route or path before.
- Stay hydrated, make sure to take plenty of water with you and maybe an energy bar.
- Keep a first-aid kit with you, protect yourself from the sun with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher and use insect repellant containing DEET to exposed skin.
- Keep your speed at a safe level to adjust for any unforeseen obstacles and slow down for blind corners.
- Use appropriate gear for the trail, just because you see tracks, does not mean it is meant for your bike. Look for challenges in the path before continuing on.
- Trust your instincts, if you think what your doing is not the smartest, you are probably right and stop. Plan on the crash and always think of the consequences if you crash. How bad will you be injured?
Hiking
- Take plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Have a first-aid kit, food, map or compass, knife or multipurpose tool, insect repellant with DEET, sunscreen with at least SPF 15, flashlight, whistle, ways to make a fire, and rain gear.
- Avoid hiking alone, let others know where you are going and make contact with them when you are back and stay on marked trails.
- NEVER climb on waterfalls or tall cliffs.
- Dress in layers and avoid cotton.
- Wear bright colored clothing. Don't dress in camouflage.
- Carry a whistle, this takes less energy than yelling. 3 short blasts are a sign of distress.
- If you become lost, stay put, make shelter, stay warm and dry and be visible and heard. If a helicopter is searching, select a clear opening and not thick tree cover. In our area there are clearings by power lines and cell phone towers.
- For children, attach a whistle to them and explain that if they get lost, hug a tree and make a nest. Let them know people, dogs and helicopters will be looking for them and to answer their calls.
- Hiking poles or sticks can help you with balance while walking in hazardous conditions.
- Prepare safe food and water by packing it in tight water proof containers or bags. Keep them in insulated containers.
- Wash hands and surfaces often. Use hand sanitizer if water is not available.
- Separate raw and cooked foods
- Cook foods to the proper temperatures.
- Chill foods promptly.
- Bring sturdy shoes and helmets if you choose to bike or hike.
- Avoid poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
- Know your limits on physical activities. Adults should get 2.5 hours and a child 1 hour a day.
- NEVER use grills, lanterns or heaters inside tents, campers or enclosed spaces. This will lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas and is deadly.
- Bring adequate bedding and clothing to prevent hypothermia.
- Put a plastic cloth or tarp on the ground under your tent to prevent moisture from penetrating the tent.
- Avoid feeding and touching wild animals which could carry diseases.
- Make sure family pets are vaccinated and keep a close eye on them. Check for ticks regularly.
- Use an insect repellant with DEET to exposed skin. Wear long sleeved light colored clothing to spot ticks easier.
- Protect your skin with sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher.
- If you plan to swim, don't swim if you have diarrhea, and never swim alone. Wear a life jacket if you plan to boat or kayak.
- Learn about security at your camping location and tell friends and family where you will be.
- Be prepared with a first-aid kit, compass, map, flashlight, blankets, batteries, food, water, and clothes.
Biking
- Wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads.
- Stay visible to others with lights and bright-colored clothing.
- Look and signal to drivers when riding on the road.
- Stay alert and look for obstacles in your path.
- When on the road, bike in the direction of traffic.
- Make sure your bike's brakes work and wheels are secured properly.
- Don't get distracted talking on cell phones or listen to music while riding a bike.
- Obey all traffic laws while riding on the road.
- Know your body limitations, never overexert yourself.
- Know where you are and where you are going and plan safety exits if you need to get out for services while mountain biking.
- Take a map, gps or compass if you have not been on this route or path before.
- Stay hydrated, make sure to take plenty of water with you and maybe an energy bar.
- Keep a first-aid kit with you, protect yourself from the sun with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher and use insect repellant containing DEET to exposed skin.
- Keep your speed at a safe level to adjust for any unforeseen obstacles and slow down for blind corners.
- Use appropriate gear for the trail, just because you see tracks, does not mean it is meant for your bike. Look for challenges in the path before continuing on.
- Trust your instincts, if you think what your doing is not the smartest, you are probably right and stop. Plan on the crash and always think of the consequences if you crash. How bad will you be injured?
Hiking
- Take plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
- Have a first-aid kit, food, map or compass, knife or multipurpose tool, insect repellant with DEET, sunscreen with at least SPF 15, flashlight, whistle, ways to make a fire, and rain gear.
- Avoid hiking alone, let others know where you are going and make contact with them when you are back and stay on marked trails.
- NEVER climb on waterfalls or tall cliffs.
- Dress in layers and avoid cotton.
- Wear bright colored clothing. Don't dress in camouflage.
- Carry a whistle, this takes less energy than yelling. 3 short blasts are a sign of distress.
- If you become lost, stay put, make shelter, stay warm and dry and be visible and heard. If a helicopter is searching, select a clear opening and not thick tree cover. In our area there are clearings by power lines and cell phone towers.
- For children, attach a whistle to them and explain that if they get lost, hug a tree and make a nest. Let them know people, dogs and helicopters will be looking for them and to answer their calls.
- Hiking poles or sticks can help you with balance while walking in hazardous conditions.
