This post may contain affiliate links. The Review Wire may collect a share of sales if you decide to shop from them. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
It’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors now that summer has officially arrived! Whether planning a short hike or camping for a few days, here are some camping safety tips to help keep you and your family safe.
LOCATION
Make sure the site you choose is safe for your family. Prepare for your trip by researching the weather, terrain, and native wildlife of the area if you are going somewhere unfamiliar. Pack the appropriate gear and clothing, such as sunscreen, water, rain gear, repellant, and equipment.
FIRST AID
Bring along a First Aid Kit! As you prepare for your adventure, healthychildren.org offers a helpful list of what you might need.
SUN PROTECTION
Protect yourself from the sun by packing sunscreen, sunglasses and wearing sun-repellent clothing. Use a sunscreen that says “broad-spectrum” on the label with an SPF of at least 15. Do your best to avoid the high solar radiation from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours and put it on 15-30 minutes before going outside.
INSECT SAFETY
Protect children from insect bites by dressing them in clothing that prevents them from getting bitten. The best way to prevent bites is to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks. Repellants containing DEET are vital to insect-related disease prevention. The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than two months is to “use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than two months.” Also, check your child’s hair and skin for ticks at the end of the day.
FIRE SAFETY
Never leave a campfire unattended, keep flammable items away, have a water bucket near the fire, and do not leave children unsupervised.
SAFETY RULES
Be sure to set expectations for your children about safety precautions. Establish boundaries for how far they can wander away from you and what hazardous conditions they should avoid (fast-moving water, cliffs, etc.).
CELEBRATE THE OUTDOORS
Get your children involved in the planning and packing process, as well as cooking and setting up the tent. Besides improving health, camping and being outdoors can strengthen family relationships, develop life skills, and detox from the digital world! Oh… and make sure to bring the S’mores!
You will find many opportunities for outdoor activities, from guided hikes and canoe trips to campfires and music jam sessions. You can also explore your national parks or take a virtual camping trip with your family through a free online program like Google Street View.
Let’s Chat: What camping safety tips do you have to share?
At our local state parks, people are always getting lost or falling off of cliffs or bluffs. Remember to stay on the path, don’t stay out past dark if unfamiliar with the area, and don’t get too close to edge of cliffs. Water safety is important too, with drownings in both lakes and rivers and flooded campgrounds from sudden severe storms.
I’ve never been camping, but if I should decide to go, this is good info!