Camping is an excellent way for families to spend time together in the great outdoors. However, it's important to take some basic safety precautions before heading into the woods. A safe and fun camping trip is all about respecting your surroundings and preparing for anything. If you’re planning a camping trip, there are certain camping safety tips for parents to follow to help ensure everyone stays happy and healthy and gets home safely.
9 Camping Safety Tips for Parents
If you're planning on taking your family camping this year, safety should be your number one priority. Here are some camping safety tips for parents to help keep your family safe while enjoying the great outdoors.
1. Communicate Your Whereabouts
Always tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. It's important to let someone know your itinerary in case of an emergency. That way, if something happens and you lose cell service and contact with emergency personnel, people back home will know where to look for you.
2. Implement the Buddy System
Always use the buddy system while camping in the woods, so nobody goes anywhere alone. It is easy to get lost in the great outdoors, even when you’re not far from camp. You also don’t know if any danger awaits, so having people go places together ensures there are four eyes on the surroundings instead of two.
3. Provide Scream Whistles for Everyone
Each kid should have a scream whistle they can use if they get lost or come across an animal that scares them. You can put the whistle on a necklace so it doesn’t get lost and is always available. It’s important to have scream whistle rules, so kids only use the whistles when lost or in danger. You don’t want a “boy who cried wolf” situation on your hands!
4. Stay on Designated Trails and Campsites
While you might be tempted to go off the beaten trail, staying on designated paths and campsites will help keep everyone safe. Getting off the beaten path can increase your risk of getting lost or injured. Plus, it’s important to respect the environment and only set up a camp where it’s acceptable to do so.
5. Respect the Campfire
A camping tradition is cooking and making s’mores over the campfire. However, a campfire can also be a hazard. So, it’s important to teach kids to respect the fire and be cautious when walking or playing near it. Having this conversation early on will help prevent injuries throughout the trip.
6. Bring Plenty of Food and Water
It's important to stay hydrated and well-nourished while enjoying any outdoor activity. You should also pack extra survival food and water kits in case of an emergency that leaves you outdoors longer than expected. To make sure everyone has the water they need to stay hydrated, give the kids their own mini backpack with water and a bivvy bag.
7. Put Together Survival Backpacks
Give each kid their own mini backpack with water and a bivvy bag. Have them carry their backpacks whenever they leave camp, so they always have two essential pieces of survival gear should they get lost.
8. Pack the Proper Camping Gear
Do some research to determine the best camping gear for your trip. Is it going to be cold, requiring extra blankets? Do you have a fire starter kit for both warmth and food preparation? Have you packed the basics, including an outdoor tent? Before you head into the great outdoors, make sure to pack essential camping gear and always be prepared.
9. Pack Emergency Preparedness Tools
You never know when disaster will strike, which is why our camping safety tips for parents include preparing for emergencies. Pack a first-aid kit and make sure everyone–even the kids– knows how to provide basic first aid if needed.