Be Prepared for Your Camping Trip
By: Elizabeth Harness
Updated: June 9, 2009
"The kinds of accidents we see are often outdoor activities," said Dr. Anne Brayer of the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Injury-Free Coalition for Kids. "Often falls, bug bites and something that particular specific to camping - campfire burns."
There are ways to keep your children safe as camping season approaches.
"Preparation is really the key," said Dr. Breyer. "You've got to make sure you're bringing the right things along."
Recommended is a first aid kit, a flashlight, sunscreen and insect repellent, and warm clothing - even in warmer months.
A note on sunscreen - there are some brands with DEET insect repellent in them. They are not recommended by pediatricians. Insect repellent should be applied separately from sunscreen.
"They really recommend that the insect repellent be applied once a day, and you should choose a product with enough DEET to cover the number of hours you expect to be exposed to insects," said Dr. Breyer.
One of the worst camping injuries every year - campfires.
"Campfires can burn for a much longer time than people realize, and people may think that even in the morning after you've had a campfire the evening before, that the ashes have cooled," said Dr. Breyer. "We see a number of children who get burned because the ashes are still hot. Even the stones around fireplaces can be really hot, kids don't realize that."
There are ways to keep your children safe as camping season approaches.
"Preparation is really the key," said Dr. Breyer. "You've got to make sure you're bringing the right things along."
Recommended is a first aid kit, a flashlight, sunscreen and insect repellent, and warm clothing - even in warmer months.
A note on sunscreen - there are some brands with DEET insect repellent in them. They are not recommended by pediatricians. Insect repellent should be applied separately from sunscreen.
"They really recommend that the insect repellent be applied once a day, and you should choose a product with enough DEET to cover the number of hours you expect to be exposed to insects," said Dr. Breyer.
One of the worst camping injuries every year - campfires.
"Campfires can burn for a much longer time than people realize, and people may think that even in the morning after you've had a campfire the evening before, that the ashes have cooled," said Dr. Breyer. "We see a number of children who get burned because the ashes are still hot. Even the stones around fireplaces can be really hot, kids don't realize that."
