Fear and loathing on the UK’s byways…

With many Britons choosing a “staycation” this year, there’s going to be an awful lot of traffic on the roads when families take to their cars for their summer holidays.

Almost every road accident is caused by some kind of human error – and nobody wants their holiday ruined before it’s begun by an easily-preventable crash. So how can you make sure your journey is safe, relaxed and trouble-free?

Camping in Britain

The best place to start is with being organised: if preparing and packing is a last-minute panic, the journey is likely to be marred by higher stress levels and that nagging feeling that you’ve left the gas on/forgotten your passport/abandoned your youngest child at home.

So leave plenty of time for packing your cases and the car; if you’ve a mild case of excessive organisation, lists are a wonderful thing. Even spreadsheets are not unknown for the real nerds among us…

Check your vehicle thoroughly before you even think of setting out. If you don’t know what to check or how to check it, get someone who knows what they’re doing to check it for you. As well as brakes, lights, screenwash, etc., don’t forget that your car is likely to be very much heavier than normal – full of luggage and people – and so your tyre pressures will need to be adjusted accordingly. Check your vehicle’s handbook for advice. And make sure you can see out of the back window!

When you’ve prepared your vehicle – next, prepare your passengers. Passengers, especially fractious children, may sometimes be distracting. You may find it helpful to prepare them for the journey by: telling them where you’re going and what you’re doing; showing them the map and explaining where you’ll be stopping off – and you can give them landmarks to spot, too; making sure they have plenty of sleep; making certain they have enough things to keep them occupied; and having some snacks and drinks inside the car in case they become hungry or thirsty.

And if all the above fails, remember: silence is golden, but gaffer tape is silver!*

Now you’re packed, everyone is present and correct, and you’re ready to head out onto the highways and byways of our green and pleasant land. But take a moment to ask yourself a couple of questions – and answer them honestly:

• Am I well enough for this drive, or should someone else do it?
• Am I taking any medication which advises me not to drive because of its effects?
• Am I undergoing some form of treatment during which the doctor has said I shouldn’t drive?
• Am I well rested and ready for the drive?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, you should consider whether you should undertake the drive at all. And if you’re tired – which is likely after a day’s work and a couple of hours spent packing – consider sharing the journey with someone else.

Even if you don’t think you will fall asleep, tiredness will slow your reactions and affect your judgement, significantly increasing the chances of crashing. Singing, turning the radio up, opening a window, using air-conditioning will not keep you awake. At best, they will give you a few extra minutes to find somewhere safe to stop. If you’re that tired, you will fall asleep – even if you’re driving. You don’t need to look hard to find examples of accidents caused by people who fell asleep at the wheel…

Baking on the tarmac

Of course, I’m assuming that the weather is actually going to be summery – judging by the recent weather, it’s more likely that travellers will face heavy rain. In this case, drivers should remember to drive to the conditions, bearing in mind that cars will be more heavily loaded than usual. Keep plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle in front and pay close attention to what’s going on down the road. Will you be able to stop in time if traffic comes to a standstill?

Now you’ve packed, and you’re awake, alert and fit to drive. Do you know where you’re going, and how to get there? It’s amazing how few drivers take the time and trouble to plan out their route in advance, and yet it can save hours and help avoid risky situations. Planning rest stops into your journey reduces fatigue and gives you a chance to escape the metal cage and stretch your legs.

If it’s hot, and the car’s occupants are getting impatient, there’s nothing worse than being stuck in a traffic jam. Planning your route properly can ensure you have alternatives to sitting on a patch of baking tarmac, quietly fuming as your destination appears to get further away.

As the Boy Scouts say: be prepared! It can save a lot of time and trouble, and ensure your holiday gets off to a flying start. Have fun!

RoSPA

*Please do not gaffer tape your children – RoSPA cannot be held responsible for any ensuing temper tantrums!

Carry on camping!

Holidaying in Britain is this year’s must-do if, like me, the recession (as well as the “summer” weather) has left you cold. For an inexpensive, fun-packed (no sarcasm here – I absolutely LOVE camping) staycation (I apologise for using that term) you can’t beat a good old camp.

Home from home

Our traditional British holiday pastime has experienced a resurgence in popularity in the last few years, with families, groups of friends and young couples all heading out into the wilderness to sleep under the stars.

Whatever your tastes and minimum luxury levels, there’s something for you. Holidays range from wild camping in the highlands of Scotland with naught but a tarp and a sleeping bag, through those of us who like a little comfort with our canvas, right down to “glamping” which appears to be the placement of a five-star hotel room in the middle of a field.

But wherever you are, and whatever form your accommodation takes, give a thought to safety – especially if you’re camping with kids. There’s plenty of advice on our new camping safety pages on the website, but here are a few hints and tips – especially useful for those who are new to the camping experience.

There’s loads of information for new campers on the Camping and Caravanning Club website too.

Camp cooking

The first thing to keep in mind is that cooking on a camp stove or an open fire (if you’re lucky enough to be camping somewhere that allows them) is vastly different from cooking in your own kitchen. For one thing, it takes longer. Much longer. So much longer that spam not only seems tasty, but actually is tasty! And although food cooked outside tastes a million times better, there’s a chance that hunger (and perhaps a tipple or two) will make for clumsy hands.

To cook, you need fire, and fire can be a real risk when you’re camping, particularly if you’re staying in a tent. Make sure you check the rules regarding open fires and barbecues at your campsite; some will not allow them at all and others will restrict them to designated areas. Practise using your stove before you go on your trip – and make sure the stove or barbecue is sited on a solid surface to reduce the risk of it falling over.

Some tents are designed with cooking areas; but most aren’t, and cooking inside tents isn’t recommended. Apart from the fact that you can get lots of condensation inside your tent, even a fire-resistant tent may burn. Investing in a tarpaulin is a good idea – they provide shelter from the elements, and mean you won’t be tempted to cook inside your tent.

Use torches, rather than naked flames, for illumination inside tents. And be particularly mindful of the risk of fire inside smaller tents with only one exit (I’m paranoid – a sharp knife could be a lifesaver in a burning tent with only one way out). Do you have a plan for if a fire gets out of control? Make sure you know where you can get water.

It’s always tempting to leave barbecues smouldering away overnight; however, it makes for a more easy sleep if you dampen down any fires and make sure barbecues and stoves are out completely before going to bed.

Packed and ready for a loch-side holiday

Lakes and rivers are stunning locations for camping, but keep in mind that they can pose a danger when you’re deciding where to pitch your tent. If you’ve got small children, you don’t want them rushing out of the tent in the morning and straight off the banks – camping away from the water’s edge is probably best. And if you’re in Scotland, the concentration of midges is slightly lower away from the water…

On a more serious note, one risk that is probably unknown to most campers (particularly first-timers) is that of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Most of us know about the risks posed by carbon monoxide in houses; but it can also be a serious threat while on holiday.

The burning of all fossil fuels produces CO and there have been deaths and serious injuries from CO poisoning in tents and caravans, including two incidents in which this is suspected this summer. Do not use stoves or disposable barbecues (for cooking or warmth) in an enclosed space with poor ventilation. If you have a decent sleeping bag, warm clothes and a camping hat (an essential camping item), you shouldn’t need to take anything that burns fuel into your tent for warmth.

Caravanners should have gas-powered appliances serviced annually, much like you would at home, and should consider using an audible carbon monoxide alarm inside their caravan as a last line of defence.

Many serious accidents involving young children on holiday, including drowning, happen on either the first or last day when there are lots of distractions, so ensure that the supervision of young children doesn’t break down during these busy times. If a child wanders off, check water sites such as ponds, lakes and swimming pools first.

Pop-up tent packing fail

A word to the wise: if you’ve never pitched your tent before, it’s a good idea to have a go before you actually go. Honestly. Especially if you’ve got a pop-up tent. They look great; they go up so easily; but if you haven’t practised, you will have a row and provide at least an hour’s entertainment for the rest of the campsite as you attempt to put your tent back down again. We whiled away a happy couple of hours in Wales at Easter observing the end of a family holiday. There were tears, and strong liquor was consumed by the hapless couple…

Finally, you’ll need the gear! Whether you’re a minimalist, a traditionalist, a happy camper or a glamper, GearWeAre will have reviewed something you need or – more likely – want. They’re a fully independent review site, and break things so that you don’t have to.

So, you’ve got the knowhow, the perfect site, and all the gear you need – get out there and enjoy the great outdoors. Take advantage of the fact that there are no city lights, and look at our magnificent Universe. And while you’re doing all that – stay happy and safe!

As you read this, I shall be up in the far northwest of Scotland near Achmelvich, enjoying the best of British summer time and attempting to avoid falling over things. At the time of writing, I was desperately hoping that an Ark wouldn’t be required…

Vicky Fraser, RoSPA’s press officer/web editor