Camping can be delightful. It can also be dangerous. Here are some tips on how to avoid the latter on your next camping trip!

Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Symptoms include, headache, fatigue, skin rash and fever. Make sure you use insect repellent and perform daily tick checks. If you find a tick remove it immediately. They like to hide around the ears, inside the belly button and under the arms.

Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy is one of the most common plant allergies in the United States. They appear in clusters of three with two leaves growing opposite on the stem and the third at the top (cookforest.com). If you come into contact with poison ivy blisters, redness, rashes and swelling may appear.

Hypothermia
Make sure your tent is rain resistant and you know how to build a fire. When the cold weather settles in there is not much else you can do. Your body begins working harder to regulate heat and before you know it your facing a sensation of chilliness, your skin starts to go numb, your muscles become weak and you start losing coordination.

Bears
Unfortunately nothing can guarantee your safety when it comes to encountering bears while camping. Never leave food out and make sure you store your food in a vehicle or bear-proof locker. Use bear-proof garbage cans or a dumpster for your garbage and make sure you keep your camp clean and odor free (Alaska Department of Natural Resources).

So there you have it. Keep your wits about you and pay attention to your surroundings. Don't ever assume that these things can't happen to you. For more information about preparing for the worst during your camping trip, visit The Active Times!

Featured Image via anmin/Flickr