Safety While Camping
Safety while camping is extremely important. Being in the outdoors requires a new level of first aid knowledge and considerations. The following safety tips can assist you in this area.
Basic First Aid Checklist - This is what our family packs in the First Aid Kit:
- Any medicine needed / taken regularly by any member of your family
- Bandages in multiple sizes or roll bandages
- Medical tape (to wrap a wound and use with roll bandages)
- Gauze
- Antibiotic ointment
- Butterfly bandages
- Any over-the-counter medicines that you may need (if desired)
Emergency Kit - to keep with each member of your family for during hiking or while at the campsite:
- Water
- Matches and a small candle (to start a fire if necessary)
- Disposable emergency blanket
- Energy bar
- Small flashlight
- Small compass
- Small whistle (especially important for children who can blow it if they get lost or separated from the other campers). Three whistle blows are the standard distress signal.
- Rain poncho
- Small package of bug spray wipes (1 or 2 wipes)
The following items are carried by ONE member of our family only:
- Additional water
- Snacks
- Bear spray
- Cell phone
- Map
- Portable GPS
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
Basic Safety Tips While Camping
- Once you have selected your campsite location, know where your nearest hospital can be found in the event of a medical emergency.
- Check to see if you have cell range; if not, know where the nearest phone can be found in the event of an emergency.
- Check any signs at the main check-in area of your campsite for information specific to your location so that you are aware of any danger that you could encounter (i.e. bears, snakes, insects, etc.)
- Set boundaries for your children. When you arrive, show them the area that they must stay within. (i.e. your campsite only, to a certain set of trees, etc.)