Avoid Packing This Common Type Of Item On Your Next Camping Trip For Safety And Convenience

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When it's time to plan for a camping adventure, preparation is key to ensuring that you and your campsite buddies will enjoy a safe and comfortable time outside surrounded by nature. From choosing the right tent for your camping adventure to knowing what meals you'll be cooking (and what you need to cook them with), bringing the right clothing, and planning day-to-day activities at your chosen destination, organizing a successful camping trip requires some pretty careful consideration.

That said, although most campers focus heavily on all of the must-bring camping essentials, there's often one major aspect that gets overlooked: what not to bring. This is even more true when it comes to food and drink containers — especially with environmentally-conscious campers trying to cut back on their single-use plastics. To avoid plastic, some campers might want to bring glass instead. While things like glass containers and ceramic dishes might seem like a practical solution for storing food and avoiding using too many throwaway items, the reality is a lot different once you're actually out in nature.

In fact, most of these types of items — although incredibly handy in the comfort of your home — actually create unnecessary risks in outdoor settings that you don't want to chance. From potentially shattering during transport to the dangers of broken glass, even the smallest accident can lead to serious safety hazards (and cleanup challenges) that can disrupt your entire outdoor experience.

Put simply, glass containers pose specific risks that make them particularly unsuitable for any outdoor or camping environment. For starters, their weight adds unnecessary burden to your pack, which means you'll likely end up exhausted before you even reach your campsite. Along with that, one wrong move could result in dangerous broken glass scattered throughout your bag. Even if you're incredibly careful handling your pack, it doesn't guarantee that the glass containers will survive the trip intact.

To make matters worse, there's also the issue of cleanup and safety. If a glass container breaks at your campsite, cleaning up the area is as essential as it is difficult. Small glass fragments can get lost and embedded in the soil — creating an ongoing hazard for others who might not see the danger until it's too late. Beyond that, broken glass can also become a fire hazard, magnifying sunlight and potentially igniting any dry leaves, twigs, and grass around the area.

Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives out there that won't compromise your experience. Instead of glass containers, it's worth investing in lightweight, durable alternatives that take up less space and won't shatter if dropped. One great option is a collapsible silicone bowl and cup, like this mess kit for camping at Amazon. Not only are these items sturdy, but they fold flat when empty, which saves valuable space, especially if you're hiking to the campsite. Similarly, stainless steel bottles and containers are also incredibly durable without excessive weight. In order to help make cooking while camping easier, aluminum cookware performs well over campfires without the risk of shattering. Ultimately, choosing camping-friendly alternatives means you can create a safer environment for yourself, your fellow campers, and the wildlife that calls your campsite home when you're not around.