Camping with the family is one of the best ways to spend time together, have fun, and bond. Plus, it’s exciting, and you can have some wonderful and memorable adventures when you choose camping over another kind of vacation.
However, there are some safety issues you’ll need to consider before you head off on your trip. When you’re camping, there are different things to think about than if you go to a hotel or go sightseeing in a big city. While each will have its own dangers, the ones related to camping are unique, so it’s crucial to know what they are and how to handle them. Read on to find out more.
Be Aware of the Weather
A camping trip can be great until the weather ruins it and makes things not only unpleasant but potentially dangerous as well. Although you might automatically think of heavy rains making the ground slippery or storms causing problems with fallen trees, even the sun can be problematic; if it’s too hot, dehydration is a real issue that could cause everyone to get sick, especially kids who run around a lot more.
Make sure you take the time to really plan ahead and determine not only where you are going but when to ensure you are there when there is going to be good weather. Different areas will have different weather systems, so try to do as much research as possible ahead of time. Although nothing is guaranteed because predicting weather is not an exact science, you’ll be able to get a better idea of when and where you should go camping to stay safe.
Have the Right Equipment
Having the right equipment is an essential part of keeping your family safe while you’re camping. If you were alone, or the camping trip consisted of just adults, it might be possible to have a good time without everything you need – you’ll make do. However, this is not something you want to leave to chance when you have kids, as you’ll want to ensure their needs are taken care of. Before you go, make a checklist of what you’ll need and make sure you have everything. This will include the following:
- Food and drink
- Flashlights
- A first-aid kit
- Spare clothes
- Good sleeping bags
- Maps and GPS equipment
- Cell phones or radios
It’s also important to have the right place to sleep. Many will opt for a tent, but if you want to increase security and sleep off the ground, a RoofBunk is a better idea.
Have Rules
You can put a lot of safety measures in place, but if your children are not willing to follow the rules, problems can still occur. Before you go, make sure everyone understands their responsibilities and go through not just the rules you’ve made but the reasons for them. If children know why they are being asked to do something, they’ll be more likely to do as they’re told.
You don’t want to have so many rules in place that your camping trip becomes miserable, and no one feels they can have fun, but you do need to impress upon the kids how they could be hurt if they aren’t careful. This will need to be balanced carefully, so it’s a good idea to think about this in advance before simply laying down the law.
