SmartHomeOwners

Although camping is meant to be fun and exciting, it's still important to practice camping safety.  It's certainly no fun if someone gets injured or even lost during your trip.  Don't focus so much on "rules" that your family or group misses out on the enjoyment.  But don't ignore safety completely either - camping trips do pose certain dangers if you're not careful.  These few camping safety tips will help everyone stay safe and have a great time too.

Plan an Early Arrival

Planning can help you avoid many camping mishaps.  It's important to plan your arrival so there will be enough daylight for setting up your tent and preparing your camp area.  Allow at least a couple of hours before daybreak for preparation.  Arriving early will also give you time to check out the lay of the land and to notice if there are potentially dangerous areas (especially if camping with children).  You'll be able to notice if there are fire ant hills, poison ivy/oak, spiders, large holes, snake holes, sharp rocks that can damage your tent, etc.

First Aid

Be sure to take a first aid kit along with Band-Aids, gauze, antibiotic ointment, calamine lotion, burn ointment and alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.  These can help bandage up cuts, scrapes and burns quickly without worrying about infection.

Check the Weather

It might be sunny and warm when you leave for your trip, but the weather can change at any time.  Check the weather for the area you are planning to visit.  Be sure to note if there are to be high winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms with hail or frequent lightening, etc.  If camping in the mountains during late fall or very early spring, don't forget that it can get extremely cold up the top of a mountain.  The temperatures where you live might be a pleasant 75 degrees F while temperatures in the higher elevations are below 30 degrees F with bone chilling winds!

No matter what the weather is showing, be sure to take along a rain coat, umbrella, warm jacket, gloves and toboggans - just in case!

Stay with Your Group

It may sound repetitive, but so many campers get lost from their group while exploring a trail.  If hiking with a group, be sure everyone stays together.  Each child should remain close to an adult.  If possible, give every person a trail map.  When splitting up in smaller groups, make sure no one goes alone.  Assign a time and place to meet later on, such as back at a certain landmark or the camp site.

Fire and Water Dangers

Camp fires should be monitored at all times...especially on windy days. Be sure there's plenty of room between the fire and tents or other objects that could melt or catch fire.  Also, keep some water handy in a spray bottle to douse the fire if it starts to flare too high or spread.  Read about camp fire safety and how to keep the fire contained when in a wooded area.

If staying near a body of water (creek, river, pond, etc.), insist that no one go swimming alone.  Also, watch children closely when playing near water.  Children sometimes get careless and may slip and fall into the water without anyone realizing it.

Other Tips

Be sure to check all vehicles before driving to the camp site.  Make sure the tires have enough air and that everything is running smoothly. Take along tools and a spare tire in case your car gets a flat tire.  The last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere!

An alternative to "roughing it" is to camp in a park where there are plenty of other families around.  This will give you a sense of security, knowing others are nearby if you need assistance.

Use these camping safety tips to keep your family safe while enjoying nature's fine wonders!