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Fire and Water Safety
Camping is just not camping without a traditional campfire. Whether
gathering to share fireside tales or to toast marshmallows, fire safety should
be practiced at all times. Build a campfire safely by:
Selecting a location away from trees, brush or overhanging branches Using an established fire pit if available or encircle the fire with rocks Keeping some form of extinguisher close by. A shovel used with sand or dirt is a good fire
suppression tool, as is a bucket of water Never leaving a fire unattended and extinguishing all coals before departure.
If your camping trip includes water recreation activities such as boating, life
jackets are required by law for every person on the boat. Better yet, take the
kids for swimming lessons at the local pool before the trip. As parents, it
will greatly ease anxiety or stress when children are playing in or around
water.
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Environmental Emergencies
Weather can change rapidly when camping, particularly in the mountains.
Always be prepared for the unexpected. Wilderness survival kits are a valuable resource and
emergency radios or beacons will always be beneficial. Most areas have some
form of an emergency notification system in place that will alert people via
various mediums in response to a threat or potential emergency.
A family can prepare for an environmental emergency by:
Researching the camping destination prior to departure Learning of alternate routes out of the area if needed Packing a GPS system, regular maps and topography maps Letting relatives or neighbors know where the family will be camping.
As soon as the camping spot is reached check for cell phone service and
first aid stations. If the phone does not have service or the signal is weak,
locate an area as close to camp as possible where cell phone service can be
received. This can save an incredible amount of time in an emergency situation
where help is needed rapidly.
Developing an emergency preparedness plan that combines common sense safety
principles with practical applications is something a family can do together.
Soon, these principles will become second nature for each family member and
they will be carried out effectively and efficiently without much thought at
all. Two websites that offer additional and excellent information for families
is Ready America
and Simple
Survival.
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