Sunday, September 30, 2012

Stay Safe While Camping - 7 Essential Safety Tips

There is so much to enjoy when you take the family camping. The number one concern should always be family safety. There are many things to consider when it comes to safety issues. Let's discuss a few here.

Careful Planning For Your Trip: You should always research the area to be certain this campground is a safe one. Get online and look up things like weather forecasts, fire hazards, local infestations of bugs, viruses or water contamination. You may also want to check to see if there have been animal attacks in the local area

Try to arrive early on the first day so you can inspect the site where you'll be putting up your tent. It should be daylight so you can see well enough to spot danger. Always check for sharp objects (glass & rocks), low hanging branches or large tree roots sticking up (trust me they are NOT comfortable), ant hills, bees, dangerous terrain & poison ivy. Any of these things can & will make your stay unpleasant.

Build your tent on a safe spot. Your tent should be flame resistant & a safe distance away from any campfire. If you checked on the weather & there was a possibility of rain, try to pitch the tent on high ground so it won't flood if it does rain. When going into or out of the tent, make sure the entryway is always closed. That will assist with keeping the bugs out of the tent.

Do not forget the emergency kit. Be prepared for bee stings, allergic reactions & cuts. Have bandages & gauze & tape to secure the gauze in place. Take insect repellent & bug spray, some kind of pain relief/fever reducer. Don't forget the sunscreen & a snake-bite kit if you have one. You should also carry a flashlight with extra batteries, a pocket knife, magnifying glass, sterilized water & peroxide for cleaning wounds, tweezers (for pulling out stingers or slivers). Take a mirror as well as this can be used to signal for help in an emergency

Stay alert of wild animals. If this is not a place your are very familiar with, be very cautious of wild animals. Inform everyone in the family about safety concerning wild animals. Wild animals have an amazing sense of smell so be sure not to leave any food out anywhere. It should be secured tightly in sealed containers &/or coolers inside of your vehicle so as not to attract animals. Bears can also be attracted to soaps, lotions, shampoos & toothpaste so keep them in sealed containers in the vehicle too. Set up your eating area approximately 100 yards away from your tent & don't sleep in the clothing you wore when you cooked a meal. The can smell the cooking odors as well & so do other wild animals.

Discuss Safety Issues With The Entire Family. Each family member should be made aware of any plants that are poisonous in the area. Although the water/lake at the campground may appear clean & clear, be sure to tell the children not to drink it as bacteria is usually too small to see with the naked eye. Every person in the family should have a whistle to use in case of emergency.

Fire Safety Issues. Ask upon arrival if there are any fire restrictions in the area or strong wind advisories. When building a fire be sure to keep it within a circle with a ring of sand or dirt around the outside of it. Don't have any flammable items close to the fire pit either Never leave the fire unattended & keep leaves & twigs away from the fire pit. When you go to bed for the night, ALWAYS put the fire out properly with water until there are no embers left lit. Also, never use candles or heating devices inside your tent. When you fall asleep suddenly (which camping seems to help you do) you may kick them over & catch the tent on fire.

Follow these main safety rules & your camping trip should be a blast.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Coleman Sleeping Bags


Coleman manufactures high quality Camping products such as tents, coolers, heaters and sleeping bags. Of all these products Sleeping Bags are the most popular among campers of all ages.


There has been a vast improvement in their design and manufacture of products. The modern models are much easier to pack and lighter to carry yet they keep you warm.

It is advisable that you spend some time in choosing a sleeping bag that is most suitable for you.

The main features of Coleman bags are durability, comfort, convenience, versatility and affordability. This makes the Coleman bags stand out from the rest of the competition.

Coleman bags are durable as they are made from materials such as polyester, ripstop polyester, nylon, ripstop nylon, cotton and heavy duty cotton canvas for the outer shell. These can withstand continuous movement.

The bags have Hollofill fibre filling which makes for cosy and comfortable sleep. The Thermlock fitting prevents heat loss and ensures warmth throughout the night.

Coleman bags are designed for easy use. It has a Roll Control that locks the bag into place, a Zipper Glide for smooth zipping and a Wrap N Roll carrier for easy packing.

The bags come in a variety of colours and sizes and are designed for a wide range of temperatures. Mild Temperature varieties are specifically designed for 30 degree and above. Moderate Temperature ones will keep you warm in temperatures between 20-30 degrees. The Extreme Temperature ones are designed for 15 degrees and below.

Coleman makes sleeping bags of different shapes. The "mummy" bag fits tightly around the body. You can zip this bag up and not feel a thing when inside. The bags meant for cold weather are marked with temperature ranges. The numbers will indicate up to what temperatures you will stay warm.

A semi-rectangular bag suits people who are immune to cold. Some people prefer wearing a t-shirt outdoors even though it may be freezing. Some are claustrophobic and are more comfortable with the semi-rectangular shape since this type has more room and the possibility to easily unzip it if one feels too hot or too enclosed.

The rectangular bag is a good choice when you travel with your partner. During cold nights the two bags can be attached together but you still have the option to separate them when you want to sleep separately.

These high quality and feature sleeping bags are available at surprisingly reasonable prices. The typical price for Coleman Bags is between $17.95 to $126.95 depending on its features and they come with a 5 year warranty.