Nothing tones the spirit quite like striking out for a week or weekend of living in the woods. However, as much fun as camping is, if not properly used some products could send you scurrying home to your backyard.
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.
You're all set to go. Sleeping bags, tents, and stove fuel are all stowed neatly in the trunk of your car, and all is well. Not quite. Remember, if you carry a flammable liquid, such as stove fuel, the fuel container should be specifically designed for that purpose. Also, carry fuel in reasonable amounts.
Here are some quick pointers about storing flammable liquids: • Store gasoline only in approved safety containers designed specifically for that purpose. • NEVER store flammable liquids in glass containers or soft drink bottles. • Keep matches in a can or container with a tight-fitting lid (and separate from flammable liquids). • Keep children away from matches and flammable liquids at all times.
Start fires only with fuel explicitly made as fire-starting materials. Never start a campfire with gasoline, kerosene, or diesel oil.
PORTABLE STOVES, GRILLS, LANTERNS
If you have a portable stove, grill, or lantern read all instructions carefully before lighting it. Also, know the instructions for re fueling and lighting. Many fires could be prevented if people only followed product directions.
If your camping stove or lantern has a detachable fuel container, be sure to REMOVE it before fueling the stove or lantern.
Here are a few more tips: • If you spill a fire-starter or any other flammable liquid on your self, don't start the fire or light any other equipment until you change clothes. • Don't add gasoline, kerosene, or diesel oil to a fire after it has started. Flames of a rekindled fire could travel back to you setting you ablaze. camping • Use only fuels recommended by manufacturers or camping experts in stoves, lamps, and lanterns. Gasoline, for instance, should never be used in some portable stoves. Most camping safety fuels are readily available at sporting or camping goods stores.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE • WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY • PULLMAN In cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Service, J. 0. Young, Director TENTS AND SLEEPING BAGS
While tent burn injuries are rare due to the flammability standard adopted by the tent industry, some tents are flammable. More than half of all tents are cotton, and cotton without a flame retardant can burn completely in a few minutes.
Read t he tag on the tent to check for flammability. Your best bet, of course, is to buy a flame-resistant tent. And al ways follow directions for ·care for all tent fabrics.
Even if your tent is flame resistant (and industry claims that 95 percent of all new tents are), here are some p ointers which cou ld prevent possible injury: • Don't light a candle, heating stove, lantern, or match in or near your tent. All these good friends of mankind are your tent's worst enemies, and perhaps yours, if your tent catches fire while you are inside . • Don't store gasoline, LP gas, or kerosene in or near the tent. • On those chilly evenings, resist any temptation to stretch your sleeping bag out next t o the ·ca mpfire. You could roll into the fire, or t he fire could spread and ignite the sleeping bag while you are asleep in it. It is far better to bring along some extra blankets to take the edge off cold evenings.
By Leo nard R. Askham, Extens ion Outdoor Recreation Specialist, Washington State Un iversity. Reproduced in part from U.S. Consumer Prod uct Safety Com miss ion Material.
Assistance from Washington State University is available to all persons, without regard to race, color, or national origin.