How many times have you wished you could just pack up and head for an outdoor getaway if only to refresh your spirits? You probably couldn't count anymore.
If it helps to know, many people are in your situation and most will have only one thing in mind - camping.
Why not? There's nothing like isolating yourself from the chaos in the city and into the waiting arms of nature.
Aside from having the opportunity to clear your head, which is almost impossible when you're swamped with unmet deadlines at the office, camping is also a great refreshment for your health.
All that fresh air can surely make a difference, especially if you work in a city with all sorts of air pollutants from automobile fumes to cigarette smoke.
As you plan for your outdoor adventure, there are many things that you need to look into - what to bring, what to do, whom to invite, etc.
But perhaps among all these considerations, nothing can be more important than your safety.
When you're in a camp site, there are four major areas of safety that you need to be in control of to avoid any untoward incidents.
Weather.
Wherever your camp site is, you will always be dealing with temperatures, so make sure you have everything to keep yourself comfortable.
It is downright irresponsible to pick a site randomly and not even research on the kind of weather you can expect there.
Of course, the more elevated the area, the colder it will be.
But more than that, you have to check out weather reports and be ready with the right clothes and the right gear.
Life.
If you're going camping, expect company beyond people.
This can include insects, animals like raccoons and skunks, plants like poison ivy and oak and the dreaded snakes and scorpions.
By all means, be in not only comfortable clothing but durable, too.
And when possible, leave as much skin unexposed.
If your area is warm, you might be tempted to wear a sleeveless shirt and shorts, but while this might be good when you're inside the tent, you could be courting disaster outside.
Bring your antihistamines, insect repellents and sprays, antiseptics and, most importantly, a snake-bite kit.
Although not all snakes are deadly, many are.
And remember to clean up after eating to avoid attracting the wild animals.
Food.
One often neglected aspect of camping safety is food.
Pack those pork chops chilled to below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid food poisoning.
Anything that is left above this temperature can be feasted on by bacteria which can multiply rapidly under the conditions.
And when you cook anything, make sure it's above 140 degrees.
Food that stays between those temperatures for more than two hours should not be eaten.
Always wash your utensils with soap and water or, if this is not possible, pack in lots of those disposable disinfectant wipes.
Never drink water from lakes or streams without dropping those water treatment tablets.
Better yet, bring as much water from home as you can.
Fire.
Campers' excitement often leads to fire accidents which could be completely avoided with the right knowledge and adherence to safety rules.
First off, you need to make sure you are allowed to build fire before doing so.
If you're not, that means it could be dangerous.
Strong winds are another indication that you're not supposed to build a fire.
But when things are looking good, build your fire and keep it in the fire ring while making sure the area is cleared of anything flammable.
Camping can be a fun and healthy activity but it can easily expose you to all sorts of threats as well.
What you can do is research on camping safety and understand what you read.
Some people browse through articles without taking the information to mind.
Remember, when it comes to safety, knowledge can save.