As winter approaches and temperatures drop, many look forward to spending weekends camping. These trips offer a unique opportunity to enjoy nature in the cool weather, making proper planning essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Planning Your Trip
Advance Preparation: Plan your camping trip well in advance, and consider going with friends who have prior camping experience, especially if it’s your first time.
Site Selection: Choose a safe camping site, avoiding areas prone to hazards like cliffs or flood zones. Inform family or friends about your location and itinerary for safety.
Vehicle Readiness: Ensure your vehicle is suitable for camping trips, check it thoroughly, and bring extra fuel for emergencies.
Weather Check: Always check the weather forecast before heading out to avoid severe conditions like thunderstorms or heavy rain.
Essential Supplies
First Aid Kit: Pack a comprehensive first aid kit including pain relievers, sterile gauze, bandages, skin ointments, and mosquito repellent. Include medications for chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma, stored safely throughout the trip.
Camping Gear: Choose a tent suitable for cold weather, large enough for comfort, with a thermal insulating mat. Bring warm sleeping bags and blankets made from insulating materials.
Food and Water: Store uncooked meats in sealed coolers to keep them fresh, and ensure you have enough water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Cooking Equipment: Carry safe cooking equipment like portable stoves and gas cylinders to prepare meals efficiently.
Backpacks and Supplies: Use comfortable backpacks or rolling bags, and pack essentials like firewood, flashlights, phone chargers, and satellite communication devices for emergencies.
During the Trip
Camp Setup: Pitch your tent on a flat, elevated area for a clear view and natural windbreaks like trees or hills, near water sources but away from damaged trees.
Local Regulations: Familiarise yourself with local camping regulations, such as rules on fire use or fishing, to ensure compliance and safety.
Wildlife Safety: Use strong lights at night to deter animals, and avoid feeding wildlife or leaving food exposed near the tent.
Fire Safety: Keep campfires away from the tent, monitor them, and consider wind direction to avoid inhaling smoke, especially for those with respiratory conditions.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness: Never use grills or stoves inside the tent to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal in enclosed spaces.
Hygiene Practices: Maintain cleanliness to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Wash your hands before cooking or eating, use separate cutting boards for vegetables and meat, and ensure drinking and cooking water is purified using tablets or portable filters.
Ventilation: Partially ventilate the tent periodically to maintain a healthy environment inside.
Appropriate Clothing: Dress in layers with warm shoes, hats, coats, and gloves to stay warm during the chilly nights.
Nutrition and Hydration: Eat energy-rich foods and drink enough water. Pack easily prepared meals, such as dried or canned foods and warm beverages.
Exercise: Light physical activity helps maintain body heat and improves circulation, keeping you warm.
Environmental Care: To protect the natural environment, extinguish campfires thoroughly before leaving or sleeping and dispose of waste properly.
Following these guidelines ensures you can enjoy a safe, comfortable, and memorable winter camping experience.
By: Dr. Badreyya Al-Harmi, Public Health Consultant, Emirates Public
