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Safety office prepares JB MDL for summer camping

  • Published
  • 87th Air Base Wing Safety Office Report
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Summer is a month filled with outdoor activities, such as camping and hiking. If safety precautions are not taken, these activities can become dangers and life-threatening.

If summer plans include camping, follow these simple tips to keep safe while out in the wilderness:

· Whenever possible, use existing campsites; don't wonder off the beaten path. Let someone know camp location and expected return time. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area.

· Camp at least 200 feet from water, trails and other camp sites.

· Keep your site clean. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left behind by others. This will keep the critters away.

· Do no approach any wild any animals. They are considered wild for a reason.
· Use a camp stove or grill for cooking, instead of a campfire. Camp stoves leave less of an impact on the land, reducing the risk of forest fires.

· Observe all fire restrictions. Use existing fire rings, build a mound fire or use a fire pan whenever possible. Use only fallen timber for camp fires.

· Clear a 10-foot diameter area around the site by removing any grass, twigs, leaves and extra firewood. Assure there aren't any tree limbs or flammable objects hanging overhead.

· Allow wood to burn down to a fine ash, if possible. Pour water on the fire and drown all embers until the hissing sound stops. Stir the campfire ashes and embers until everything is wet and cold to the touch. Use dirt if water is not available.

· Use a portable heater, equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor, to heat tents. If oxygen levels start to fall inside the tent, the ODS automatically shuts down the heater before it can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Traditional camping heaters, charcoal grills, camping lanterns and gas generators can cause CO poisoning.

· Use a portable latrine if possible. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole, six to eight inches deep and at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites or trails. High use areas may have other restrictions, so check with a land manager.

· Be aware of surrounding plant life. Look out for poisonous and irritating plants such as Poison Ivy or Poison Sumac.

· Wash gear and vehicles after a trip to reduce the spread of invasive species, such as fleas and ticks.

Contact the 87th Air Base Wing Safety Office at 754-6853 for more information.