It’s that time of year again – camping season! Can you picture it? Pitching the tent, jumping in the lake, and most importantly, setting up the bonfire for nighttime s’mores and storytelling.
First Thing’s First – First Aid Tips
When packing for a camping trip, first aid items may not always come to mind. While we hope you won’t need them, it’s always a good idea to be prepared – especially when you’re away from home. Here are some items that you should consider bringing along on your outdoor adventure:
- Disposable gloves: Wear non-latex, preferably nitrile gloves when providing care.
- Bandages, gauze pads and tape: Assorted sizes of self adhesive bandages, sterile gauze and adhesive tape may come in handy after mishaps around the campsite or while hiking.
- Antibiotic ointment: This is important to have nearby to reduce the chance of an infection.
- Aspirin: This can reduce pain, inflammation and a fever.
- First Aid App: Get instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies.
Check out more items and how to make your own first aid travel kit on redcross.org. Online or in-class First Aid/CPR/AED courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.
Your Guide to Fun in the Water
As a child, I remember a strict rule to have an adult with us when going near the water – whether it was a river, lake, pool or ocean. I am a living testament to the importance of this safety precaution, as my uncle saved my life when I fell in the water at age two.
Wherever you find yourself on your outdoor adventure, here is some guidance for a stress-free time in the water:
- Swim in designated areas where a lifeguard is on duty.
- Always use the buddy system when swimming.
- With young children or inexperienced swimmers, use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Always watch a young child or inexperienced swimmer in the water and remain within arm’s reach.
- Pay attention to flags or warning signs by the water indicating dangerous marine life, currents or cold temperatures.
See more swim safety tips and download our Swim App to help keep your family safe.
The Campfire Checklist
Relaxing by the fire and roasting marshmallows is a classic – and delicious – camping tradition. While some like their marshmallows perfectly brown all the way around, I like mine burnt to a crisp. I just have to remember to carefully remove it from the fire! Enjoy your s’mores (brown or burnt) worry-free with these camping tips:
- Create a fire escape plan in case the fire spreads outside the fire pit and keep a bucket of water close at all times.
- Remember to keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from the fire pit at all times.
- If a marshmallow catches on fire, do not wave it around to try to put it out (this can cause an injury or another fire outside the fire pit).
- Keep matches and lighters up and away from a child’s reach, and watch children by the fire at all times.
- Before going camping, check the active wildfire map to stay out of dangerous areas. Don’t set a fire if you’re in an active area!
Find more fire safety tips like these to stay safe camping this summer and download the Emergency App for weather alerts and warnings.
Have a wonderful, safe and healthy camping trip, from all of us at the Red Cross!