GoCampingAmerica.com | Posted September
    2nd, 2016

               

    Camping Safety Tips

               

    Happy Camper Blog

             

             
               
                 

    September is
    National Preparedness Month, so it’s a good time to review your camping
    safety plans to protect your family from illness or injury. The Centers for
    Disease Control and Prevention offers the following 10
    suggestions: Hiker

    1.      Get
    vaccinated.
    Check with your doctor to see which vaccines he or
    she recommends.

    2.     
    Prepare safe food. Pack foods in waterproof
    containers and keep them in an insulated cooler. Also, wash your hands and
    surfaces often and cook foods to proper temperatures.

    3.     
    Include safe physical activities. Bring
    protective gear such as helmets, sturdy shoes and life jackets. Learn how to
    identify poisonous plants like poison ivy so you can avoid them, and know
    your limits so you can avoid injury.

    4.     
    Protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
    Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and can lead to illness or death in
    people and pets. Never use fuel-powered equipment such as gas stoves, heaters
    or lanterns inside a tent or camper.

    5.     
    Avoid wild animals and protect family pets.bears Avoid touching and feeding wild
    animals and keep your food in sealed containers that they can’t get into.
    Make sure your pets are vaccinated, keep a close eye on them and check to see
    if they have any ticks that need to be removed.

    6.     
    Fight bug bites. Mosquitoes, ticks and other
    insects can carry diseases. Apply insect repellant containing DEET to exposed
    skin, carefully following package directions. Wear long sleeves and pants and
    light colored clothing to help prevent ticks and to be able to spot them more
    easily.

    7.     
    Prevent temperature-related illness. Stay
    hydrated by drinking plenty of alcohol-free and sugar-free fluids and don’t
    wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Stay in the shade as much as possible
    when it’s hot and bring plenty of warm clothing and blankets for cool
    nights.

    8.     
    Protect yourself from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV)
    radiation from the sun can reach you all year, even on cloudy and hazy days.
    Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and lip screen containing at least SPF 15 that
    protects against UVA and UVB rays. Seek shade during midday when the sun’s
    rays are at their strongest and wear a wide-brimmed hat and
    sunglasses.

    9.     
    Avoid water-related illness and injury. Don’t
    swallow the water you swim in and take a shower before and after swimming.
    Never swim alone, and wear a life jacket when riding in a boat, canoe or
    other water vessel.

    Storm

    10.  Be prepared. Check the
    weather report before you leave home and bring essentials like a first aid
    kit, flashlight and any medications you might need. Know who to contact at
    your campground if any issues come up.