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Check out the following Outdoor safety tips
Posted by: Archie on September 2, 2009 at 1:11PM UMDT
Camping is an excellent learning opportunity for children of all ages. Exposure to the outdoors is a natural and fun classroom. Seeing birds and animals, the plants and trees, the rocks the streams and ponds, the insects, the sounds, the weather, the wildflowers can be exhilarating. Teaching kids to be safe and respectful during campouts, hikes or picnics will help make their adventure even better.

“Please make sure to always stress camping safety with each child. Below are tips to help keep children safe while enjoying the great outdoors,” said forest supervisor Brian Ferebee of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
  • Clearly explain why it is dangerous for the child to leave the campsite alone (may get lost; may encounter a snake, or dangerous animal).
  • Give them a whistle to wear around their necks to blow if they are lost.
  • Three blows is the standard distress signal. Make sure they know the whistle is used for emergencies only.
  • Teach young children to stay within eyesight, and older children to stay within earshot.
  • Instruct your child to “stay put” if they get lost.
  • Make sure each child has his/her own flashlight.
  • Teach the child how to use leaves to keep warm overnight (they can just cover up with the leaves).
  • Teach children to only drink from your water source. Clear rivers, ponds and springs are naturally appealing to children. Make sure they understand that drinking water in the wild can make them very ill, unless it has been filtered by a responsible family member or adult.
  • Let your children know not to play around streams, lakes or ponds without an adult. Fast-moving creeks and rivers are an especially dangerous hazard and kids should avoid playing close to the banks altogether.
  • Make sure that kids are wearing a life vest while in a canoe, boat or around fast moving water.
  •  Always make sure trails are age-appropriate and carry plenty of water.
  •  Make certain that children know that wild animals are wild and best viewed from a distance. Stress that animals in the wild are not pets and under no circumstances should they be fed, petted or chased. Feeding animals makes animals dependent on handouts and creates unnatural patterns of interacting with humans. Petting can result in bites or scratches. Chasing can wear an animal out.
  • Apply sunscreen and insect repellant in sunny and/or buggy locations.
  • Keep a first-aid-kit handy at all times.
  • Make sure everyone has rain gear.
  • Plan to dress in layers. Add if you are cold; take off if you are hot.
“Another important aspect of camping with children is setting a good example. We want our children to grow up protecting the natural resources.” said Ferebee. Below is a list of ways to set good examples for your children and help them adjust to life in the great outdoors.
  • Talk to them about where they will sleep, brush their teeth and use the bathroom. Require all campers use the designated toilet area.
  • Discuss with them that they may see spiders, snakes and other types of insects.
  •  Keep the campsite clean at all times. Trash and waste goes into the proper containers immediately. Littered campsites attract unwanted critters and animals.
  • Carry all garbage out with you when you leave.
  • Use only dead wood for fires. Stack the wood up neatly and explain to the child why it is not placed too close to the fire. Explain why only dead wood should be used (it burns better and it does not hurt the environment to use dead wood).
  • Explain that only adults can make a fire, add wood to a fire or cook on a fire. Keep a container of water or a fire extinguisher near the fire, and show them how to use it.
  • Teach them to appreciate the beauty of just seeing wild animals in a natural environment.
  • Teach the child that maiming trees, flowers or other plant life leaves unsightly scars and eyesores for many seasons into the future.
  • Stress to them that before leaving a campsite make sure the area is cleaner than when you found it. Double check for litter, remove the stacked wood pile and make sure the campfire is out and covered with dirt. “Take only pictures. Leave only footprints. This means that you should leave your camping and hiking areas just as clean as or cleaner than when you found it.
  • Allow the next person to enjoy the same beauty as you did,” Ferebee said.
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