If you and your family are new to camping, there are several safety tips you will want to learn to keep everyone safe. Camping can be a joyous experience and fun for the whole family and help to get you and your family outdoors. Armed with the following safety tips, you and your family will be safe and happy.
Properly Choosing The Right Camping Site
When you go camping, it can be easy just to think that you will find a camping spot when you get to the location that is safe and right for you. There will be different amenities available, and they will all depend on where you are camping. If you are camping at a site that has things to do, you will want to make sure that you research those things well and figure out what activities you and your family want to do.
If you are staying in a primitive camping area that is not part of a business, you will want to take special precautions. There will be wild animals present, and you do not want to get into a situation with a wild animal. Make sure that you research the area and instruct your family to do so as well. This will help to keep you all safe.
Pay Attention To The Weather
Before you go on your camping trip, you will want to check out the weather that will be expected in your location and pack accordingly. Always bring rain gear just in case. Another good idea is to make sure that you have some way to check the weather while you are out camping. This can help to warn you and your family of storms that may pop up. Your cellphone may work in the camping area, but if you know it does not, consider getting a weather radio to bring on the camping trip.
Food Storage Safety
When you choose a destination like one of the many West Virginia state parks, you will want to educate your family on food storage safety. When it comes to attracting wildlife, nothing does it better than improperly stored food. You and your family will want to learn how to store food so that animals do not smell it.
Food safety also includes the proper storage of foods and how they are prepared. For example, you will want to teach your family that all foods that are needed to be refrigerated must be in a cooler and separated. Learning proper food storage techniques will help you avoid food-borne illnesses.
Learning Campfire Safety
One of the most fun things about going camping is the campfire. You all gather around and tell stories and eat great food. However, campfires can be dangerous and are responsible for many different injuries and fires each year. When you start your fire, you should ensure you are at least 15 feet away from your tent. Teach your family that the fire should never be left unattended, no matter how small the flame is. You should also teach your children that the fire should be put out before going to bed.
Protecting Against Insects
A huge downside of camping is the bugs. Mosquitos, bees, ticks, and more all love to see campers out and about. Instead of being a bug’s next meal, there are things that you and your family can do to help minimize bug bites. You will want to make sure that you get a bug repellant and spray it on as needed. You can also get citronella candles to help ward off mosquitos. Daily inspections should be done for ticks. All body parts must be checked, and it is important to note that ticks can be tiny. Wearing long pants and a long shirt can help to protect you from insect bites.
Going camping is a fun pastime for many people. If you want to go camping, make sure that you teach your children about things like insect protection, picking the right camping area, and protecting yourself from the elements. The more that you protect yourself and your family, the safer you will be. Consider going camping today and using some of these safety tips.