FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2015
Contact: Cherie Sage, 785-296-1223, or
Daina Hodges, 785-296-0351
Top Five Tips for Families to Stay Safe While Camping
Safe Kids Kansas urges parents to make safety a priority when camping
Topeka –While the preparations for a family camping or hiking trip usually include a review of the
necessary gear, Safe Kids Kansas recommends parents also review safety guidelines with their children.
“Going camping or hiking can be wonderful activities for children and families but it’s also a time when
kids are often in an environment they’re not used to,” says Cherie Sage, coordinator of Safe Kids Kansas.
“It’s really about preparing kids so they know what to do in different situations like sitting near a
campfire or swimming in open bodies of water. Serious injuries can be completely avoided by following
a few simple tips.”
Safe Kids Kansas recommends these five tips to stay safe while camping.
1. Be safe around the campfire. Actively supervise children near a campfire or portable stove.
Follow posted rules about campfires, and do not light fires in windy or excessively dry
conditions. Keep a bucket of water and a shovel near a fire and extinguish the fire completely
before going to sleep or leaving the campsite.
2. Be prepared for emergencies. Keep first aid supplies and emergency phone numbers handy and
know where the nearest phone is located. Cell phones might not work in remote areas.
3. Protect against sudden weather change. Dress children in layers of clothing to help prevent
heat-related illness and hypothermia. A child’s body temperature changes faster than an adult’s
does. Bring waterproof clothes to protect against rain or wind.
4. Actively supervise around water. Never leave children unattended around water. We know it
sounds strict, but there is no room for compromise on this one.
5. Wear a life jacket. Always have your children wear properly fitting life jackets approved by the
U.S. Coast Guard while on boats, around open bodies of water or when participating in water
sports.
To learn more information, visit the safety tips section on the Safe Kids website at www.safekids.org,
or call 785-296-1223 or 785-296-0351.
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safekidskansas.org
About Safe Kids Kansas
Safe Kids Kansas works to prevent childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children.
Safe Kids Kansas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to
preventing injuries in children. Coalition members include over 70 statewide organizations, agencies and
businesses and a network of local coalitions across the state.
Visit us at www.safekidskansas.org and on Facebook.
This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request. For more
information about obtaining an alternative format, you may contact Safe Kids Kansas at 785-296-1223,
or [email protected]. Both speech/hearing disabled and hearing Kansans can access the Kansas Relay
Center by calling toll-free 1-800-766-3777. Callers should inform the relay operator of the number they
wish to call and the type of call they are making direct, credit card, collect, person-to-person, etc.
safekidskansas.org
safekidskansas.org