5 ways for kids to camp safely
Do your summer plans include camping? The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed a list of tips to keep you and your family safe when out in the wild. So before you break out the tents and brave the wilderness (or the backyard!) with children, here are a few tips to keep your whole family safe.
1. Bug bites—Prevent insect bites by liberally applying a repellant with DEET (up to a 30 percent concentration) or picaridin. Insect repellants are not recommended for children under 2 months old. When in the woods, wear long pants and long sleeves to protect against ticks. And be sure to look everyone over for ticks thoroughly at the end of each day! If your child does get a tick, grab it as close to the head as possible with a pair of tweezers and pull.
2. Snake bites—Know the area in which you are camping, and be on the lookout for snakes of any kind. If your child has been bitten by a snake, you should seek medical attention immediately, especially if you do not know the kind of snake. Keep the affected area below the heart on the way to the ER, and do not apply ice to the area.
3. Plants—Be familiar with the plants in the area in which you will be camping. Watch out for poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, which can cause a red, itchy, blistered rash. Although the rash itself is not contagious, the plant oil can spread easily to other parts of the body and other people! If your child touches one of these poisonous plants, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water then apply ice to the area. Also, watch your children closely to be sure they do not put wild plants, mushrooms, or berries in their mouths, as many of these can be poisonous.
4. Food—Be careful if you bring any prepared food with you. Be sure to keep prepared food on ice to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Also, camping experts recommend cooking and storing all food at least 100 feet away from your sleeping area to avoid attracting unwanted wild animals in the middle of the night!
5. First aid kit—Always pack a first aid kit when camping. Key items include antiseptic liquid, such as rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, bandages, gauze, tweezers, an ice pack, allergy medication, fever medication, and any prescription medications.
Takeaways
- Prepare for your camping trip with proper gear, including insect repellant and long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- Don’t leave food where wild animals will be attracted to your tent or immediate campsite.
- Always take a first aid kit.
I’m surprised to hear that you recommend DEET. It is the best repellent and I always use it for myself but thought it was dangerous, especially for kids. Cancer causing or something?
Great question! This is a recommendation straight from the American Academy of Pediatrics. They recommend using DEET products, but never more than 30%, so it’s very important to read the labels carefully. There are other natural products but they have not been shown to be as effective in clinical studies.
I was actually wondering the same thing so I have tried to avoid putting it on my girls. I made a repellent from a recipe I saw posted online containing lemon juice, lavender oil, vanilla and water but haven’t found it to be very effective. I will be sure to look for repellent with 30% or less DEET.
I couldn’t agree with you more! 🙂 My husband is going to have to be the camper with my boys!
My husband can’t wait to take the girls camping but this list just solidifies why I am not a camper! I used to “camp” in my backyard with my friends with a television and that worked just fine. Looking forward to doing that with my girls. 🙂