Safe Camping

Camping is a fun and safe vacation enjoyed by millions of families every year. But unlike being at home or staying at a hotel or resort, first aid is not necessarily close by should an injury, illness, or accident happen while you and your family are out camping. You will eventually be able to get the professional help you need, but you’ll have to be ready to use basic first aid right away in the unlikely event that something happens. The best advice? Be prepared and follow basic safety guidelines.

Every day to day activity we spend our time on has its ups and downs. Big problems are very unlikely, but safety awareness can help you deal with the little things problems that may pop up. A little safety planning can help you avoid the little irritations that life brings us now and then. With proper safety planning, mishaps won’t become trip busters. Here are some tips for camping safety.

• Weather can be unpredictable. Check the weather forecast for the area.
• Take enough food, clothing, and equipment to keep you comfortable in case of emergency.
• Tell someone where you will be, and when you plan to be home, in case someone needs to find you.
• Plan to return to camp well before dark. Remember that daylight hours are shorter in the fall and winter.
• Be alert to approaching storms, dress properly, and seek appropriate shelter.
• Dress properly. Check the weather and terrain.
• Poisonous snakes, ticks and poisonous plants may be found along trails. Exercise caution.
• If you are a beginning camper, use the camping check lists found on this site.
• Avoid tick bites by staying on trails and avoiding grassy, brushy areas. Wear light colored clothing so ticks can be seen. Tuck shirts into pants and pant legs into socks. Do not wear shorts on the trails. If a tick is attached to your skin, grab it with tweezers and remove it. Do not crush the tick’s body, as this can force bacteria into your skin. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. If you think part of the tick has remained in the skin, or if you think the tick has been attached for longer than 48 hours, seek medical attention. Be alert to a subsequent fever or skin rash. Report these to the doctor.
• Always plan where to meet should one of your family members get separated.
• Check your first aid kits before each trip. Replace any missing items, like bandaids, and check expiration dates on medicines and ointments.

Following these simple tips can save you a lot of headaches and aggrevation. Your first camping trip shouldn’t be ruined by an incident that could have been easily avoided through proper preparation.

To finish up this camping primer, read about Camping Tips from the experts.