Christmas is only two sleeps away, and for some of you, you might be getting ready to head on that camping trip you've been planning for months. So, to ensure that you don't miss anything before you go away, we've jotted down our top 5 camping preparation tips for families!
1. Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked!
This is a must; especially if you're camping! Ambulances can sometimes take longer to arrive in regional areas, and if you're holidaying somewhere remote, it may be challenging to access health care. For this reason, we recommend having the following items in your kit at all times:
- Band-aids and dressings
- Bandages (including triangle and compression bandages)
- Saline and antiseptic creams
- Emergency blanket
- Digital Thermometer
- Instant ice packs
- Cool and hot packs
- Breath of life resuscitation mask
- Vomit bags
- Cotton tips
- Baby wipes
- Bottles of water
- Insect repellent and SPF50+ sunscreen
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen
- Asthma medication (if your little one has asthma)
- EpiPen (if your little one has anaphylaxis)
This way, you'll be prepared for any first aid emergency and will be able to render appropriate first aid until help arrives!
2. Research your holiday destination
At home, we familiarise ourselves with our address, roads nearby and the closest GP and hospital - but sometimes, we can forget to do this before heading on holiday. It's essential to research the services available in your holiday area in case of an emergency. If you're travelling to a remote area, make sure you check with your telephone provider to see if they can service that area. You can do this by visiting your provider's website or by giving them a call.
3. Pack accordingly
Depending on your holiday destination, you need to make sure that you've got appropriate clothing and protection from the elements.
If you're going to the beach, your child will need:
- Sunscreen
- Hats - wide-brimmed or legionaries are recommended
- Swimsuits with long sleeves
- Sunglasses
- Swim nappies
- Loose, light-weight cotton clothing
- A sunshade or umbrella
- Beach towels
- Floatation devices
If you're going hiking or bushwalking, your child will need:
- SunscreenHats - wide-brimmed or legionaries are recommended
- Insect repellent
- Wet weather gear
- Loose, light-weight cotton clothing
- Nappies
- Closed-toe shoes
Make sure you research any hiking or bushwalking tracks before embarking on your holiday in case they are not suitable for children. Many national parks have paths designed for prams - but it is best to double-check before you go!
4. If you're staying in an area with no service, get emergency devices
If you're a family who loves to hike or holiday off the beaten track, we would strongly advise taking an emergency beacon in case of emergency. This will be able to alert help, even if your phone is out of range. These products can be rented at an affordable price. We also recommend downloading the Emergency + app. You can call emergency services directly from the app and also get access to your location, latitude and longitude. Click here to download.
5. Download the Tiny Hearts Education App
Even if you've done a first aid course, make sure you to download the Tiny Hearts Education app so you can get access to over 44 first aid topics. It only costs $4.99 a month and contains how-to videos on some of the most common first aid practises like CPR, choking back blows, bleeding, anaphylaxis and more! Think of it as an insurance policy that if your little one were to be seriously sick or injured, you would have the resources at your fingertips to know what to do. Click here to download.
Want to learn more about summer safety? Check out this interview that our Co-Founder, Rachael did with Today Extra recently 👇
