Stay Safe While Camping

Camping is great source of family fun and will build memories that will last a lifetime. Your trip should not only be about having fun but keeping safe as well. There are many ways to ensure that you are putting safety first, regardless of where or how you choose to camp.

Always carry a first aid kit and cell phone. Keep your cell phone turned off throughout your trip though, remember it is for an emergency. Make sure that any type of medication topical, oral, whatever has not expired in your first aid kit. Thankfully, many of us will not have to use the kits often, therefore it's a good idea to check and see if everything in the first aid kit is in proper working condition as well. Hopefully, you will not have to use it, but just in case it will be there and ready.

Camp fires while enjoyable, can pose as a serious safety hazard to the camper. For starters, one should never attempt to build a fire by dousing the wood with gas, kerosene, or any other type of flammable. It is extremely dangerous and sometimes illegal. Another mistake that we often make is getting too close to the campfire or making it too big. Keep the fire small and containable. It's best to have a small trench around it and water and/or dirt to put it out. Don't build the fire in an area where there is a lot of brush and debris. Children should be watched at all times around any type of fire, camping is not an exception.

Store foods and empty food wrappers properly. If not, you may wake up with an unpleasant surprise. This will help keep the wild animals at bay at your camping site. Particularly bears, depending on where you camp. Speaking of the wildlife, it is important not to try and catch any of the animals or otherwise play with them. As cute as they may be, some may harm you. You can enjoy the wildlife without disturbing it.

It is the perfect time of the year to go camping, nature is in full bloom. Make this years family camping trip a safe one. Follow these few simple guidelines and common sense and keep you and your family safe this year.