One of the best purchases I have made in the last year has been clear plastic condiment bottles with a sealable top that I bought at WalMart for less than a dollar each.

While most people I know use them for ketchup and mustard, I put canola oil and olive oil in mine and use them at home and at camping.

It is so much handier than having the whole big bottle of oil out plus it eliminates any worry about dropping and breaking a glass olive oil bottle, especially at a campground where some campers like to go barefoot.

When I need a squirt of olive oil for cooking or a squirt of canola oil for giving my dutch oven and other cast iron cookware a light coating, I grab one of my plastic bottles, pop the top, and give it a squeeze.

This picture is of my bottles and yes, it’s almost time to refill them. The background may look a little bizarre but I took the picture at home and decided to set them on my deck railing, hence the field and woods in the background.

I also use the bottles as dispensers for homemade salad dressing. They’re especially nice for vinaigrettes, and I always take one with thousand island dressing in it for making reuben sandwiches and one with Parmesan peppercorn or ranch dressing.

To make sure everyone in the family knows what is in each bottle, use self stick labels such as mailing labels or; if you don’t mind having the writing on the bottle forever, use a Sharpie marker.

If you cannot find them at WalMart, check with a local restaurant supply store.

Camper refrigerators can get pretty stinky and stale smelling because they aren’t in constant use. Plus, if they aren’t completely dry before closing the door and storing the camper until the next trip, the dampness can cause mold to develop or rust to form on any exposed metal.

I have always kept a container of baking soda inside my pop-up camper’s fridge to keep it smelling fresh and really like Arm and Hammer’s boxes specially designed for the fridge and freezer because now I don’t have to worry about it tipping over and spilling; but it didn’t help if we closed the fridge up after cleaning and hadn’t made sure it was 100% completely dry inside.

Now we keep crumpled brown paper bags inside our camper fridge when we’re not using it. The bags absorb odors and dampness, keeping the fridge dry and clean in between uses.

I don’t know how it works, but I got the tip from a fellow camper who said it worked great for her so I decided to try it too.

When we get to the campground and put our camper up, I take out the crumpled bags in the fridge and set them aside to use when we start our campfires or when we start charcoal in our chimney starter for dutch oven cooking.

When I clean the camper after the camping trip, I crumple new bags and put them in the fridge until the next time.

It’s pretty much “no fuss, no muss.”

As thousands (and maybe even you) head to campgrounds for this Fourth of July, I wanted to give you a few tips to make sure that your Fourth of July doesn’t end up with a trip to the emergency room to get treated for third degree burns or to get a limb reattached.

I think we’ve all heard stories of people who’ve been horsing around with fireworks and have been seriously maimed by them. One thing to keep in mind is that fireworks aren’t perfectly safe even when used properly. Even professional displays have fireworks that blow up on the ground or when they’re not supposed to which is why the pros always wear fire suits.

So even if you’re not camping, and just want to celebrate with some fireworks, then here are some tips for using fireworks.

• Read and follow and instructions and warnings.
• Sorry kids, fireworks are for adults only. Sprinklers are okay for the young ones
• Fireworks don’t belong in the woods, and in dry areas can ignite forest fires – better to go see a professional display in the area than use them in a wooded campsite.
• Only light fireworks on smooth, flat surfaces away from houses, leaves, and flammable materials.
• Be prepared. Keep a bucket of water handy and a first aid kid just in case.
• If you have a dud, never try to relight it. Douse it with water or bury it with dirt to prevent it from going off unexpectedly and dispose of it later.
• Fireworks are for outdoor use only
• Never throw fireworks or handle fireworks after they’ve been lit (I have a friend who got third degree burns all over his arm when the fuse burned faster than expected and went off in his hand.)
• Follow all local laws and ordinances regarding fireworks
• Only light one at a time.
• Be cautious during windy conditions. Be sure that no spectators are downwind of your display.
• Wear safety glasses if you’re lighting the fireworks or if you’re going to be in close proximity to the display.

Now that it’s officially summer, I thought I’d provide you with a few tips for beating the heat while camping because it’s no fun to leave the confines of air conditioning if you’re just going to suffer in triple digit heat while you’re out camping.

1) Location Location Location

If you haven’t decided where you want to go camping, I’d recommend you take a look at going some place where the temperatures aren’t blisteringly hot in summer. That means southern states like Arizona, Texas, and many others aren’t as good of choices as Montana, Wyoming, the Rocky Mountains where it doesn’t get as warm in the summer.

However, picking a more temperate location isn’t always feasible so let’s talk about how to pick a campsite that will help keep you cool. Look for a campsite in the shade or one that will be in the shade in the afternoon when it will be the hottest outside. If you’re camping on the water, get a campsite close to the water as you can get a nice cool lakeside breeze (provided the lake is large enough) when you camp next to it.

2) Drink like a sailor (sort of)

Okay, so I didn’t mean to get your hopes up that you should spend your entire time in a drunken stupor with the intention of beating the heat. Instead, drink water and plenty of it. Sodas don’t hydrate as well good old water, and alcohol is actually dehydrating so you may wanna lay off the sauce at least when until the evenings when the temperatures are cooler.

3) Stay Outta The Sun

The sun I great for a lot of things. Without sun we’d all die. However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. And if you’re out in the intense summer heat all die without protection you’re not gonna be too happy later on. Wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if you’re going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time. And if you’re pasty white like I am, then just make sure you don’t go out in the sun without sunscreen at all.

4) Be a cool dresser

They say you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day. Fortunately, it’s well before Labor Day so you’re in the clear. Wear whites and light colored clothing to stay cool. Also, wear breathable clothing like nylon and polyester and if you’re going to be highly active, leave the cotton at home.

5) Schedule wisely

If you love to hike or bike, plan those activities in the morning or for the early evening when things will have cooled off a little. During the day, water based activities like swimming and jet skiing will keep you cooled off. You could also do one of my favorites and take a trip to local wineries which are air conditioned, and not only that, you usually get free wine samples (yes, I know that breaks rule #2, but don’t look at ‘em like rigid rules, more like suggestions).

And if you want to keep your food cold too, then just read my post from a few days ago – keeping your food cold while camping.

Nothing can ruin a camping trip faster than getting eaten alive by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes. However, not everyone is a fan of dousing themselves with huge doses of chemicals just to keep themselves and their campsite mosquito free. Fortunately, you can make a natural mosquito repellent that works just as well as the chemical laden stuff and as a bonus you won’t have the awful “bug spray” smell afterwards.

Here’s the recipe to make your own insect repellent (you may have to visit your local health food store or a few of them to get these ingredients, btw).

4 drops lavender
4 drops eucalyptus
4 drops of rosemary
4 drops of tea tree essential oils
1 teaspoon of witch hazel
4 teaspoons of water

Simply shake up the mixture in a bottle and apply directly to your skin.

If you want a spray version then put in the same mixture of oils (the first four ingredients) and put 2 teaspoons of witch hazel in 8 ounces of water and shake it all up in a spray bottle. And again, spray on to your skin.

So next time you’re out camping and don’t want to make yourself a mosquito buffet, give this mixture a try to keep those annoying little critters at bay.

And if you have any other tips for keeping mosquitoes away while camping, be sure to post them in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.

Did you know that heat is the number one weather killer in the United States? It takes more lives than any other weather condition yet it is often the weather condition people take the least precautions for.

For example, according to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) heat waves have been responsible for more deaths in Wisconsin than all other natural disasters combined. The hot summer weather in 1995 claimed the lives of 154 residents and forced another 400 to seek medical treatment for their heat related conditions.

Young people and elderly face the highest risk of heat related deaths.

So be aware of the dangers of extreme and prolonged heat and humidity and know what precautions to take.

A great source of information is the American Red Cross who has an article titled “Heat Waves”

It encourages people to know what the following terms mean:

Heat wave - a prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity.

Heat index - A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Keep in mind that exposure to full sun can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F

Heat cramps - They are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and are an early signal that a person’s body is having trouble with the hot weather.

Heat exhaustion - It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, a person may suffer heat stroke.

Heat stroke/Sunstroke - It is life-threatening. A person’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

Here is what the American Red Cross recommends if a heat wave is predicted or is occurring:
- Avoid strenuous activity. If you can’t avoid it do it during the coolest part of the day which is typically 4 am to 7 am.

- Stay inside as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine and try to go to a public building that does have air conditioning for several hours each day during the heat wave.

- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s heat.

- Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Drink even if you do not feel thirsty. Most experts say that by the time a person feels thirsty they are already dehydrated. Remember that water is best to drink and to avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine because they make the heat’s effect on the body worse. Beer is one of the worst things to drink.

- Eat small, frequent meals. Stay away from high protein foods because they increase a person’s metabolic heat.

- Don’t use salt tablets unless advised to do so by a physician.

What are the signs of heat emergencies? According to the American Red Cross:

For heat exhaustion it’s: cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

For heat stroke it’s: hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

Treatment of Heat Emergencies Information from the American Red Cross:
For heat cramps: get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.

For heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Let the person rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his/her condition.

For heat stroke: Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

The National Weather Service has procedures in place to alert people of excessive heat and humidity. It makes a weather radio very handy to have because heat alerts will be broadcast on them. Click here for the NOAA’s heat index chart which shows at what temperatures the likelihood of heat disorders with prolonged exposure or strenuous could occur.

It’s especially important to be aware of the dangers of heat when camping because campers are often outside most of the day and may be in remote areas that don’t have emergency medical care quickly accessible.

Print out a copy of the American Red Cross brochure “Are You Ready For A Heat Wave” (it’s a pdf file so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view and print) and keep it handy at home and while camping.

Do you remember the television show, MacGyver, where star Richard Dean Anderson was a mastermind at getting himself out of tight spots by using whatever was at hand?

It seemed that he could do anything as long as he had a Swiss Army knife and some duct tape.

A reader letter in my latest issue of Mother Earth magazine, which is a great magazine, mentioned the contents of a do it yourself traveler’s tool kit that I thought is a great idea to take while camping.

Plus, the kit is compact. Everything listed below will fit into a zippered pencil pouch.

TRAVELER’S TOOL KIT
- Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool (a MacGyver must-have)
- Mini roll of duct tape wrapped around a permanent marker (another MacGyver must-have)
- Baggie ties
- Tube of contact cement
- Hank of string
- Jeweler’s screwdriver or eyeglass repair kit
- A couple of spring type clothespins
- Needle and thread (I save those small sewing kits that some hotels provide)
- Several rubber bands in different sizes
- Tweezers
- Small LED flashlight

A kit like this will help a person be prepared for almost anything. A couple of examples:
- Duct tape is a great emergency patch on torn tent or camper canvas or window screens.

- Clothespins not only secure wet clothing and towels while drying but are useful for closing partially used bags of food like frozen vegetables and chips or for securing hanging lights at the campsite. They also hold curtains securely closed at night for complete privacy inside a camper.

- Baggie twist ties can be used to close bags of all sorts, secure hanging lights, and work as a shoe lace replacement in a pinch. The twist tie material is available on a small spool with its own cutter for just a few dollars so the ties can be cut to the desired length.

- Rubber bands, besides being handy for securing groups of objects or keeping things closed, can be used to plug small leaks on an emergency basis because they are naturally waterproof, and are handy pony tail holders.

Before you leave home on your camping trip, take a little time to check to make sure everything works even if you think you do not have the time.

I, unfortunately, did not take this piece of advice to heart when I went camping over Memorial Day weekend. My family had a bad week with 2 family funerals so time was short. By 6 pm Friday night we were so anxious to get on the road we decided to just leave and go relax at the campground.

If we had taken the time to check things out beforehand, we could have left 15 minutes sooner than we did because we found the trailer lights were not working and had to take time to fix them.

Once we got to the campground we found out the electrical system in our popup wasn’t working either so we spent the weekend without lights, running water, and heat.

We were okay because we cooked over the fire (which we had planned to do anyway), switched the camper’s fridge so that it would run on propane, hung lanterns inside the camper for lighting, and used our sleeping bags to keep us warm at night when the temperatures got down into the 30’s. The only thing I dreaded was getting out of the warm sleeping bag in the morning and trudging to the bathroom.

But, the trip would have been more fun if everything on the camper was working the way it was supposed to. Although we couldn’t have done anything about the electrical system if we had checked it just before leaving, we typically pop our camper up the week before a camping trip to check that everything in the camper itself is working and that the supplies we keep inside the camper are fully stocked. But, because of the bad week we had, we skipped doing that check and paid the price for it.

We won’t skip it again.

Our family goes camping at campgrounds an hour or two away from our house several times a year. When we first started camping at those nearby campgrounds we did not take the time to check the weather forecast before heading out, and as a result we were not prepared.

Weather can be quite different just 50 miles from home especially if the campground is near a large body of water.

One of our favorite campgrounds is on one of the Great Lakes. Temperatures there can be quite chilly in the evening even in the middle of summer making sweatshirts, sweatpants, and a seat as close to the fire as possible without melting the soles of your shoes off, a necessity if a person wants to stay warm.

Inclement weather can also quickly ruin a camping trip if a person is not prepared. If storms and a lot of rain are being predicted during a camping trip I take along lots of books, extra games, and a knitting or crocheting project to work on.

While I could be really prepared and take all these items on every trip, we have limited storage space plus I hate having extra stuff that we do not need with us because it’s more work to pack, unpack, and continually be moving around when trying to get to stuff we do need.

If severe weather is being predicted (and even if it isn’t) I make sure to talk to whoever is working at the campground when we check in to find out the latest forecast and also what to do and where to go in case of severe weather such as high winds or tornadoes.

The weather can also get so hot during the middle of the day that being outside in it makes a person feel like they are going to melt. That is when it is time to find some water to play in, to stay inside an air conditioned camper (if you have air conditioning) or to take a day trip to visit a nearby attraction that is either indoors or that will cool you off - such as a waterpark.

I used to go through a lot of ice when I went camping even though I have a good quality cooler. Ice from the camp store or from a local gas station always melted fast, usually in a day.

Now I fill plastic milk jugs, plastic water bottles, and plastic juice bottles with water nearly full, leaving an inch or two for expansion; and freeze them. Then when I’m packing my coolers for camping; I pull those jugs out of the freezer as ice packs. Plus they stay frozen for at least a couple days. I’ve had a gallon jug stay frozen for 5 days.

If they completely thaw while I’m still camping; I use the water in them for cooking and washing up dishes.

The best part is that they are free. Now, rather than spending $10 or $20 on ice when camping, plus having to take time to go find it, I use my homemade ice packs.