Teaching Camping Safety to Kids

There are four main wilderness risks you should take note of: Weather, Terrain, Wildlife and Fire.

Weather

You’ve probably been at several campgrounds when the sky got dark and a storm was headed in.

You should always keep your eye on the weather. The Weather Channel app has radar that’s helpful to watch, and you can turn on alerts so you’re notified if a storm is headed your way. So, what do you do when it storms?

If you can weather the storm, it’s a good idea to clean up the area around your RV and put away anything that can blow away. You should put your awning down too.

Get the kids involved with this process. Don’t scare them, but explain to them that the weather is going to change, and we need to take precautions.

Now, if you happen to be RVing in the south during hurricane season, your attention to weather should be heightened. If you’re in a hurricane’s path, you’ll likely be asked to evacuate. Listen to the experts.

Terrain

When you RV, especially in or near state or national parks, you get to explore the great outdoors. But, when you’re in unfamiliar territory you need to be aware of your surroundings, and you need to teach your kids about it too.

Tell your kids they shouldn’t wander off alone. If they’re old enough to explore a bit on their own, make sure they’re with a friend or sibling, and have them tell you where they’re going.

If you explore off-road, so to speak, teach them to wear closed-toed shoes, and pack a bag of things you’ll need. Have them pack water, snacks, a whistle, a compass, and a small first aid kit. Teach them to be prepared.

If you have little ones and you’re camping near water, there’s so much fun to be had, but teach your children not to go into the water without a “water watcher,” or a grownup who can keep an eye on them.

Wildlife

You never know what animals or plants you’re going to wander about when you’re RVing. The dangers here can vary, from bears wandering through your campground to camping near a patch of poison ivy.

Here are some tips to follow:
– Research the area you’re going to, so you know what to watch out for.
– In general, teach your kids to give all wildlife its space and never feed them.
– When it comes to plants, try to stay on the trails and don’t pick any flowers or eat any berries.
– Keep first aid supplies on hand to deal with poison ivy, like cortisone cream and Benadryl.
– Teach your kids to look, not touch.
– To keep wildlife from becoming a guest in your RV site, make sure you store food inside and clean up any food waste.

Fire

Sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows is a staple when you’re RVing with kids, but an open flame is dangerous.

Tell your kids to:
– Keep a safe distance from the fire.
– Assume a fire pit is always hot, even when there aren’t flames
– Never play near a fire ring.

You should also teach your kids how to put out a fire and talk about why you can’t start a fire in dry conditions.

If your family is out and about RVing, it’s important to have fun and make memories, but it’s also important to be aware of dangers, and teach your kids to how to be prepared for any situation. Get more RV tips by becoming a member of RV Lifestyle and Repair.