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Writer's pictureRachel Pei

Camp safety tips from events of thefts in Ontario parks



About a week ago, these two tents, along with most of the belongings, were stolen from camper Helen Mason's campground at Lake Huron Pinewood Provincial Park in Oakville, Ontario.


On May 7, 2022, CBC News released news that said Ontario Provincial Parks had unprecedented thefts. Helen Mason, the person involved, said in an interview that she had been camping in Ontario provincial parks for nearly 40 years, but she had never experienced such a theft. During the camping process, she received an invitation from an old friend to leave the camp for one day to visit friends. However, when she returned to the camp the next day, she found that almost all of her belongings were gone. Someone stole all her personal belongings, tent, grill, and food she prepared for camping.


As the temperature warms up and the sun is just right, many people plan to go out camping. However, the occurrence of theft is worrisome. In fact, while camping, not only can theft occur, but also many uncertain factors will also lead to hazards, such as large wild animals, extreme weather and so on.


Today Wow Nature will talk about the safety tips when camping, how to protect ourselves, and the people around us in nature.




Be aware of any risks that may arise around the tent


1. When you arrive at camp, before setting up camp, you should look around and consider the dangers that may arise in the area.


2. Avoid camping under large eucalyptus trees. Things may fall from branches at any time. I'm sure you don't want to be terrified of being hit by a branch or something heavy falling from a tree in the middle of the night.


3. Consider the location of drainage when it rains. Avoid camping on riverbeds and ditches that may hold water.

Especially when camping with children, it is important to consider staying away from rivers and not camping in potentially dangerous places such as creeks or steep inclines.


4. Always pay attention to the location of ant nests. Pitching a tent over a swarm of ants is certainly not a good option.



Bring enough water and food

1. Make sure you have enough water you need, including for drinking and washing. Many parks are not connected to running water, especially in dry conditions where you can't rely on water from the park's rainwater tanks. It is especially important to note that the water in the tank is not suitable for drinking.



2. If you want to eat food that needs to be refrigerated, please buy a high-quality freezer and pack enough ice cubes to prevent food poisoning.

Note: It is recommended to store food in airtight containers to keep bugs out.




Pay attention to weather changes

Always pay attention to changes in the weather to increase or decrease the corresponding clothing. Check daytime and nighttime temperatures. You might need sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen during the day, and at night you might need warm clothing like thick socks, sneakers, and a thermal pullover.



Keep an eye out for wildlife around you

1. In addition to keeping an eye out for bears, be aware that smaller animals can also cause more problems. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects can bite and cause irritation and disease.

Using insect repellant and wearing long-sleeved tops and pants can help prevent bites. Make sure the fly screens on the tent are closed as much as possible and don't leave open water and drink containers around the campsite as they can attract insects.



2. During the warmer months, you may encounter snakes. Snakes are usually shy and won't attack unless provoked, so it's best not to disturb them. Remember that even small snakes can be dangerous.

Practices to avoid snakes include walking with a little noise and wearing long pants and closed shoes.


3. All kinds of birds and squirrels may look cute, but they are cunning when raiding the camp, leaving your food and garbage in your tent or car.

NOTE: In order to keep wild animals wild, it is very important not to feed wild animals as this can change their natural behavior and become aggressive toward food. And human food may be difficult for them to digest and can lead to disease.



These four points are the safety precautions that Wow Nature has shared with you. I hope everyone could be cautious when outdoors, and have a beautiful and pleasant camping experience!




WOW Nature Outdoor Discovery was established in Beijing, China in 2015, and is committed to advocating a lifestyle that is close to nature, healthy, balanced, and environmentally friendly.

In 2016, WOW Nature settled in Canada and registered as a non-profit organization. Through carefully designed outdoor exploration activities, Wow Nature leads everyone to walk into nature and deeply experience local culture, thereby improving the quality of life, enhancing parent-child relationships, expanding social circles, and gaining more health and happiness.

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