Camping tips

TO MAKE your camping trip easy, fun and memorable for all the right reasons, follow these tips.

Test your gear. Try your equipment out before leaving home. Help set up your campsite. You can’t have too much lighting. Headlamps are great as they free up your hands.

Take rope and duct tape. It comes in handy for support and hanging up stuff and can fix just about anything.

Be respectful of other campers – walk around other campsites not through them and keep voices down at night and early in the morning.

Take a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes for when out and about in the bush.

Take clothes suited to the location you are headed, plus plan for accidents, change of weather and dirt.

Be aware of the different weather conditions.

Have a portable radio to keep updated about the weather and fire restrictions. Take insect repellent. Take stop itch spray or cream.

Carry a first-aid kit, a compass, a map, a whistle, a lighter.

Take plastic storage bins to store your camping gear, to keep your food away from animals, put your shoes and other items from getting wet overnight, and even as a wash basin for dishes.

Store rubbish in sealed containers to stop nocturnal animals from raiding.

Set up fires downwind and a safe distance from tents.

Do not use fuel of any type to start or promote a fire.

Turn off any lanterns and put out campfires before going to bed.

Hand sanitiser and baby wipes come in very handy.

Limit the time spent on electronic devices – only allowed to be used during bad weather.

Leave only footprints. Take all your rubbish with you.