Careful Planning For Your Trip: You should always research the area to be certain this campground is a safe one. Get online and look up things like weather forecasts, fire hazards, local infestations of bugs, viruses or water contamination. You may also want to check to see if there have been animal attacks in the local area
Try to arrive early on the first day so you can inspect the site where you'll be putting up your tent. It should be daylight so you can see well enough to spot danger. Always check for sharp objects (glass & rocks), low hanging branches or large tree roots sticking up (trust me they are NOT comfortable), ant hills, bees, dangerous terrain & poison ivy. Any of these things can & will make your stay unpleasant.
Build your tent on a safe spot. Your tent should be flame resistant & a safe distance away from any campfire. If you checked on the weather & there was a possibility of rain, try to pitch the tent on high ground so it won't flood if it does rain. When going into or out of the tent, make sure the entryway is always closed. That will assist with keeping the bugs out of the tent.
Do not forget the emergency kit. Be prepared for bee stings, allergic reactions & cuts. Have bandages & gauze & tape to secure the gauze in place. Take insect repellent & bug spray, some kind of pain relief/fever reducer. Don't forget the sunscreen & a snake-bite kit if you have one. You should also carry a flashlight with extra batteries, a pocket knife, magnifying glass, sterilized water & peroxide for cleaning wounds, tweezers (for pulling out stingers or slivers). Take a mirror as well as this can be used to signal for help in an emergency
Stay alert of wild animals. If this is not a place your are very familiar with, be very cautious of wild animals. Inform everyone in the family about safety concerning wild animals. Wild animals have an amazing sense of smell so be sure not to leave any food out anywhere. It should be secured tightly in sealed containers &/or coolers inside of your vehicle so as not to attract animals. Bears can also be attracted to soaps, lotions, shampoos & toothpaste so keep them in sealed containers in the vehicle too. Set up your eating area approximately 100 yards away from your tent & don't sleep in the clothing you wore when you cooked a meal. The can smell the cooking odors as well & so do other wild animals.
Discuss Safety Issues With The Entire Family. Each family member should be made aware of any plants that are poisonous in the area. Although the water/lake at the campground may appear clean & clear, be sure to tell the children not to drink it as bacteria is usually too small to see with the naked eye. Every person in the family should have a whistle to use in case of emergency.
Fire Safety Issues. Ask upon arrival if there are any fire restrictions in the area or strong wind advisories. When building a fire be sure to keep it within a circle with a ring of sand or dirt around the outside of it. Don't have any flammable items close to the fire pit either Never leave the fire unattended & keep leaves & twigs away from the fire pit. When you go to bed for the night, ALWAYS put the fire out properly with water until there are no embers left lit. Also, never use candles or heating devices inside your tent. When you fall asleep suddenly (which camping seems to help you do) you may kick them over & catch the tent on fire.
Follow these main safety rules & your camping trip should be a blast.
