Summer is quickly approaching and many Macaroni Families will be spending weekends camping. Below is the first part of our camping series. In this issue, we've put together a list of some safety tips to consider when camping with children and this week we are concentrating on safety at the camp site. Stay safe and enjoy your camping adventures!
SAFETY
Safety at the campground will actually begin at home. Talking with your children ahead of time as to what to expect and how you will handle certain situations can help prepare them ahead of the excitement when arriving at the camp.
1. BOUNDARIES: Set up camp boundaries. Let the children know where the camp boundaries are located. Make sure they are clearly visible. You can use bright rope or ribbon to show where your campsite is and where the boundaries begin and end.
2. NEVER LEAVE CAMP ALONE: Explain to children that they must always ask an adult if they can leave the boundary area. When they do, ALWAYS HAVE A BUDDY. For older children, teens, and adults who do leave (with buddies) to investigate, take along a get-found kit, water canteen, and a small first aid kit. Make sure you include a whistle in each person's get-found kit. One wrong turn, especially in unfamiliar surroundings, can prove a challenge to return to camp. Having the emergency supplies can help others locate the lost campers. Talk ahead of time how to handle those situations.
3. NEVER GO BAREFOOT: There are splinters and sharp rocks around campsites. Although you may be cautious with what you leave behind, that might not be the case for other campers who were there before you. It's no fun to have to leave a vacation to get stitches and a tetanus shot. Water shoes are great to wear - even if it's just around camp. Although water shoes aren't as sturdy as hiking boots, they are better than bare feet and can reduce the chances of a serious injury.
4. FIRST AID KITS: Accidents happen. Camp base should have a first aid kit to stay there and each child can have their own personal first aid kit too. This can be a fun activity to make ahead of leaving.
5. NO OPEN FLAMES IN THE TENT: There shouldn't be any candles, matches, or flames of any kind in the tents. A good light for a nightlight to help find your bed or for reading can be made easily with a jug of water and a headlamp pointing at the water.
6. FOOD SAFETY: Children should only eat and drink items that the adults say are safe. Even though a stream my look crystal clear doesn't mean it's safe to drink. The same goes for pretty berries. Some can be poisonous. Also remember, no candy or food of any kind in the tents. This is a good way to send invitations to unwanted guests such as racoons, skunks, ants, or even bears. Animals can smell those things even in sealed packages. Some critters can smell those items from hundreds of yards away.
7. FIRE SAFETY: Talk ahead of time about the firepit and safety rules for your family. Have a buddy system with an adult or older child with each young child at all times. Teach children ahead of time to stop, drop, and roll.
8. WATER SAFETY: Some children are familiar with general water safety but there are a few other considerations to make when discussing natural water source safety. As always, never get in the water alone. Never dive in the water in the wild as you don't know how deep it could be. When in a boat, everyone should wear a personal flotation device. Test the water before getting in. Very cold water can cause cramping and make it difficult to swim.
Camping can be so much fun and a little preparation goes a long way in making a safe and enjoyable camping experience. Happy Camping : )
