If you are a dog owner, then you probably love to spend time with your dog. Our dogs are like members of our family, so it’s only natural to want to take them with us when we go on vacation. Here are just a few of the reasons why to take your dog on vacation:

1. Taking your dog on vacation with you can help the bonding process. If your dog is left alone for long hours while you and other members of your household work, then the relationship between you and your dog likely has suffered. Most dogs are loyal to their owners, but if you are often not around, it may be more difficult. You can renew this bond and make it even stronger when you take your dog on vacation. Even if you are home often but busy doing other things, taking your dog on vacation with you will allow you to have more “fun time” with him or her.

2. Vacationing with your dog can aid in training. By spending time together, you will have the time and opportunity to take advantage of your and your dog’s undivided attention. With no distractions, you can use it for training and come back from vacation happier.

3. If your dog is with you on vacation, you won’t have the stress of worrying about how your dog is doing with a friend, family member or in a kennel. You won’t have to worry about whether your dog is lonely or whether he or she will be sick when you return home. Taking your dog with you on vacation allows you to bypass this worry completely.

If you have a dog that likes to travel and likes to spend time with you, both you and your dog can benefit from taking a vacation together.

For more information on taking your dog on vacation, see http://www.gogreendogbeds.com/taking_your_dog_on_vacation/

Thanks – or No thanks – to the 24-hour News Channels, we are constantly bombarded with tragic events occurring around the world.  Natural disasters – tsunamis, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, floods – or man-made disasters – such as home invasions, accidents or terroristic activity – are front and center on the news everyday.  It is not a question of “if,” but more than likely, “when” an accident or emergency is going to strike you or your loved ones.  Will your family be prepared in the event of a worst-case scenario?  There are four things that you can do right now to begin the journey to emergency preparedness.

 

There is an old adage, “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst”- this is a wise motto to embrace.  If we can be ready for worst case scenario disasters, then a week long power outage due to an ice storm will be a piece of cake! But are we prepared? A recent survey showed that a majority of American homes do not even have a bandaid, much less a first aid kit in case of emergencies -  not only are they not ready for a natural disaster, they can’t even bandage a child’s scrapped knee! 

 

There are thousands of books on Disaster -proofing your family, but the odds that a family that doesn’t own a bandaid would read one of them, are slim!  Therefore, here are the top four things you can do to prepare your family for natural or man- made disasters:

 





1. Have a well stocked First Aid Kit:  When an injury occurs, the last thing you want to do is wish you had the proper equipment to give medical care to your loved ones.  We all need a first line of defense in our homes to be prepared for an emergency situation – a well stocked First Aid Kit is the answer.  At a minimum, it should include assorted bandages, gauze, rubbing alcohol, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, thermometer, cotton balls and adhesive tape.  The size of your first aid kit and its contents will depend on the size of your family, their needs and their lifestyle.  Pre-packaged first aid kits are economical and will contain the essential items that you need – you can then customize it by adding things that are tailored to suit your family’s individual needs.(If Dad is a diabetic, include some hard candy in the event of diabetic shock, and don’t forget your prescription medications and an extra pair of eyeglasses).  Now that you have a well-stocked kit, you should familiarize yourself with all the items in it and know when and how to use them properly.  It would be a good idea to have a complete kit for your home and smaller kits for your cars, purses or your child’s locker at school – you should always have the proper first aid essential on hand.

 





2. Have batteries, flashlights and weather radios readily accessible:  Unfortunately, power outages usually go hand in hand with weather related emergencies, so be sure you have an adequate supply of fresh batteries at home.  Keep a working flashlight on every nightstand (you don’t want to be fumbling around in the dark- that’s an accident waiting to happen!) and have a weather radio nearby to keep your family informed of any watches or warnings in your area so you can take shelter accordingly.  Having a radio, flashlights or battery-powered lanterns ready ahead of time (we don’t recommend candles because of the obvious fire hazard) and your family can remain safe, informed and relatively calm during any storm.

 





3. Have a supply of ready to eat food and water on hand:  This is just good old common sense – our grandparent use to call it “putting away” for winter.  I’m afraid many families today only buy enough groceries to last until the next week’s shopping trip – there is no back up provisions in case of emergency.  Well, there are all kinds of emergencies – a trucker strike as well as weather emergencies could shut down grocery stores, halting the food supply.  As we saw with Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, because of the nature of the storms and their aftermath, help was impeded and people were without food and water for days.  Be prepared in advance.  We should all have enough rations on hand to get us comfortably by until help arrives – plan on at least 14 days worth (most will tell you 72 hours, but in most cases, it takes on average about 5 days to a week to get back to ‘normal’.  Do your part and be prepared so you don’t get in the way of first responders or those who were not prepared and must run to an under stocked grocery store) To accomplish this, just add a few more cans of soup, some familiar foods( not army dehydrated food) and some bottles of water every time you go shopping, and you will build up a nice emergency food supply.  Store your food and water in a cool dark place, rotating the food every six months – keep an eye on the expiration dates.

 





4 Have copies of important documents in one place:    Where are all of your important documents?  Could you recreate your life in the case of a fire?  You should have all original documents in a safe deposit box in an out of town bank or fire resistant safe.  Make copies of vital papers – all title deeds, insurance policies, warranties, driver’s license, Social Security cards, bank statements, investment papers, passport and any other papers that would be key in re- building your life after a disaster. It might also help if you send a second package of copy to an out of town family along with copies of your precious pictures to them as well.  Once you have made copies of all of these, keep them in a water and fireproof container that you can easily grab and go in a worst-case scenario (fire or flood).  These papers will be essential in establishing any insurance claim in the aftermath of any catastrophic event.

 

Keep in mind, the government is not your Mom; they do not keep all of your vital information stored in one place!

 

This article is not intended to scare anyone – but with a little advance preparation, our families can have a greater sense of security and peace of mind. Make sure to follow the government and the first responder’s directions so you do not become part of the problem.  Again, “hope for the best, and be prepared for the worst” –   Be smart.  Be prepared.

 

 

With vacation time at hand and more activities taking place, a well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment’s notice. Make sure that you and your family are prepared to treat the most common injuries, and emergencies that will take place over the summer.

This is also the beginning of the storm season. After a quiet start to 2009 Hurricane season, three storms have started in just 30 hours.

You and your family’s safety depend to a large extent on what you do now, before there is a storm on your horizon. Planning and preparation are the two most powerful survival tools at your disposal, and it is simply unwise not to make full use of them. To this end, be sure to have a comprehensive first aid / emergency kit close by.

A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment necessary to provide immediate care to an injured or ill person before treatment by medically trained personnel. The kit will be made up of different contents depending on the place where the kit will be used and the number of persons it needs to protect. Will it just be your family at the cottage, or will there be extra guests?

It is recommended that your first aid kit be assembled in a clean, waterproof container to keep the contents safe and aseptic. Most kits come in durable plastic boxes, fabric pouches or in wall mounted cabinets. The type of container will vary depending on where they will be used and will range in size from pocket sized through to large backpacks. A wall mounted first aid cabinet would be perfect at home or cottage, but a fabric bag would be better suited in your vehicle.

First aid kits available through your local stores are generally intended for treatment of very minor injuries only. Typical contents include adhesive bandages, gauze and a disinfectant. Specialized first aid kits are available for various locations and activities, and will focus on specific risks related to that activity.

For example, first aid kits designed for use in a boat will contain seasickness remedies. Kits designed for industrial applications will contain burn medication and a suitable infection barrier for performing artificial respiration. They will also have larger quantities of supplies to treat multiple victims.

Trauma injuries, such as bleeding from cuts and scrapes, bone fractures or burns, are usually the main focus of most first aid kits designed for the home; however these kits are also practical for use while traveling, at the cottage or during a disaster related evacuation. These kits will include:

Adhesive bandages

Adhesive tape

Sterile Dressings (applied directly to wound)

Sterile eye pads

Sterile gauze pads

Antiseptic wipes or sprays

Sterile non-adherent pads, containing a non-stick Teflon layer

Triple antibiotics

Bandages (non-sterile for securing dressings)

Gauze roller bandages

Elastic bandages (used for sprains)

Triangular bandages (used as slings, tourniquets and to tie splints)

Blood stoppers, to promote clotting for severe bleeding.

Butterfly closure strips (to close wounds)

CPR mouth piece

Splints, to stabilize broken bones

Burn dressing (sterile pad, soaked in a cooling gel)

Gloves (disposable)

Trauma shears, for cutting clothing and general use

Tweezers

Alcohol pads (sterilizing equipment)

Flashlight

Instant-acting chemical cold packs

Alcohol rubs or antiseptic hand wipes (hand sanitizer)

Thermometer

Emergency blanket

First Aid Booklet (Read the entire booklet so you’ll understand how to use the contents of your kit) 

It is an excellent idea to include Aspirin, primarily used for central medical chest pain, as an anti-coagulant and Acetaminophen for pain relief.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen can also be used in the case of a strained joint.

Don’t forget extra prescription medications if you are going away for your vacation.

Remember to check the contents of all of your kits regularly and replace the items that have been used before you need them again.

While there is no way to predict when and where an injury or natural disaster may occur, being prepared with the proper first aid and emergency gear will give you and your family a much better chance of getting through the difficult times.

First aid or medical kits should be found in every household and automobile. Accidents happen when we least expect them and being prepared can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. The most common types of accidents include cuts, scrapes, burns, and insect bites. A large percentage of accidents happen in and around the home, then out in the great outdoors, and final in and around vehicles.

A kit should be readily available both inside the home and when the family is outdoors. It is also important to keep a kit in your garage for outside emergencies and in your vehicle for emergencies that may occur when you are traveling. A kit should also be a part of every emergency preparedness plan. When preparing for a natural disaster, most experts believe everyone should have emergency supplies for at least the first 72 hours. It is a good idea to include at least a 72 hour supply of any prescription medications as well. First aid or medical kits are a must in households that have children. Children can be very accident prone and it is better to be prepared than caught unaware. It is important that each member of the family be familiar with the contents of your kit and knows how to use them.

Your kit should consider the needs of each individual family member. It is very important to change the medications in the first aid kit periodically. Most medications have an expiration date, which can be written down on a piece of paper and kept inside the first aid kit. Also, include items such as glucose monitors and blood pressure monitors for family members that have diabetes and/or high blood pressure.

Every kit should include the following basic items, a assortment of gauze pads, adhesive tape, various bandages, antibiotic ointment, cotton swabs, eye drops, latex gloves, a tweezer, bottled water for cleaning wounds, and a first aid handbook. All kits should include prescription medications as well as non-prescription medications such as syrup of ipecac used to induce vomiting if instructed by a poison control center, medicines for treating bee stings, antihistamines for itching and allergic reactions, and pain medications such as aspirin.

If you had an emergency in your home or vehicle today, would you be prepared? Most people don’t like to think about emergencies and this often results in not being prepared for household accidents. Don’t leave your family’s safety to chance. Be sure your home and vehicle are properly equipped with a first aid or medical emergency kit today!

Camping is a favorite hobby of many American families. It’s the time when a family or a group of friends try to get away from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives and enjoy one another’s company. Nature lovers also get to be one with nature and people are challenged by trying to survive against the elements with just the bare necessities.

Safety should be practiced at all times. Especially when you’re out camping, you don’t want to run into any accidents or have someone hurt. As they always say, safety first! Here are some safety tips that you can do to avoid any accidents which would enable you to spend the best quality time with your family or friends while you’re out camping.

The weather is always unpredictable. It can be sunny then cloudy the next. Check local weather news before going out camping and be prepared for it. Bring appropriate apparel for the weather forecast.

Bring something that will let you have access to the outside world. Cell phones, 2 way radio and transistor radio (to let you know about current news about the weather and the area you are in)

Think of the worst case scenario; bring extra clothes and food just in case. Bring flashlights and extra batteries as well.

If the whole family goes out camping, tell your neighbour where you are going and when you will come back so they know where you are if someone drops by unexpectedly and looks for you.

Try to return to camp before it gets too dark. Days are shorter during winter and longer in the summer.

Campgrounds or forests might also be shelter to snakes, insects and poisonous plants. Be cautious every time you’re out there.

In order to avoid insect bites or running into any kind of animal, always stay on trail and avoid grassy, bushy areas.

Do not wear shorts on trail; choose jogging pants or pants made out of light fabric if it’s too hot.

Have an emergency plan. In case of emergencies, all your family members should be aware of this.

Set up a meeting place and tell every member of your family if in case someone gets lost.

Always bring a first aid kit to your camping trip. Before leaving your house, check if there’s enough bandages, band aids and other materials. Check also the expiration dates of medicines and ointments. Don’t forget to bring insect repellant and anti-itch lotion.

Know how to administer first aid to common sicknesses or accidents that may happen. Also teach other family members so they can also give first aid to other family members if the need arises.

Additional camp-fire tips:

Keep fires small, you just need enough fire to keep you warm or roast marshmallows, not to start a whole forest fire. Always keep water in hand to extinguish the fire if the need arises. Never leave a fire unattended.

Do not cut branches from trees, always use dead wood that’s lying in the ground.

On December 10th, 2007, Harvard President Drew Faust and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Michael D. Smith, announced their new, innovating financial aid program in an attempt to make Harvard more affordable for families of all incomes, but particularly for families of middle and upper middle incomes. Major improvements were made in awarding grants, eliminating student loans and removing home equity values from the financial aid calculations, as well as eliminating the contribution made by families with incomes less than $60,000:

“Families with incomes above $120,000 and below $180,000 and with assets typical for these income levels,” Harvard announced, “will be asked to pay 10 percent of their incomes. For those with incomes below $120,000, the family contribution percentage will decline steadily from 10 percent, reaching zero for those with incomes at $60,000 and below.”

“We want all students who might dream of a Harvard education to know that it is a realistic and affordable option,” said President Faust. ”Education is fundamental to the future of individuals and the nation, and we are determined to do our part to restore its place as an engine of opportunity, rather than a source of financial stress. With no loans, no consideration of home equity, and a dramatic increase in grant aid, we are not tinkering at the margins, we are rebuilding the engine…This is a huge investment for Harvard, but there is no more important commitment we could make. Excellence and opportunity must go hand in hand,” he said.

NOT SO FAST WITH YOUR APPLAUSE. Before you begin offering words of praise for Harvard’s proclaimed financial aid initiative, consider whether or not, as we’ve seen so many times before, all of those carefully chosen words are as empty as the pot at the end of a rainbow that nobody ever finds. Could it be that the Ivy League giant has already balked on their promise and that some of their groundbreaking financial assistance is nothing more than a lot of hype?

Two of the families I counseled are sending their kids off to join the Class of 2012 and have been gravely disappointed by the new Harvard financial aid program as promised in their earth shattering announcement.

With a $35 billion endowment fund, one may wonder why Harvard would cheat a family with virtually no assets out of $750. It’s beyond comprehension, but that is exactly what they did to a New England family with a 2007 income far less than $150,000. And, despite my advice, they were petrified at the prospect of challenging Harvard’s initial offer, fearing they would jeopardize their student’s future at the prestigious school. Consequently, they didn’t.

The second family let down by the announced financial aid enhancements is from the Midwest and had an income of just over the $180,000 threshold. There were some extenuating circumstances and, accordingly, I suggested an appeal. Lo and behold, Harvard sprung for an additional $6,000, but only after discounting numerous business expenses that the IRS had accepted! And if all of Harvard’s glitter is gold, why was the appeal necessary in the first place?

One thing is certain, if Harvard low balled their financial aid offers to these families, it is safe to assume there are others who have had the crimson pulled over their eyes. I welcome any Harvard family, and since we’re on the subject, any other college or college-bound family, to contact me for a FREE financial analysis to determine if they too were short changed and if there is any way to obtain additional financial aid. (There usually is.)

Over the past ten years, prompted by the leadership of former president, Neil L. Rudenstine, Harvard’s grant appropriations have increased 143 percent, and in 2008 and beyond, more than 90 percent of Harvard families will qualify for what appears, on the surface, to be a most generous financial aid program. Two-thirds of the students currently attending receive some form of financial aid and need-based scholarships are awarded to half of them. This brings Harvard’s total aid assistance for 2008 to more than $98 million – about ½ of 1% of the total funds they have available.

Fact is, Harvard has so much money it could actually pay the tuition for the entire student body for the next 100 years and still have billions of dollars left over! So, let the borrower beware. Before you canonize America’s most sought after college for taking up the financial aid torch, remember that while the lyric may be new, we’ve all heard that tune before, and it ain’t necessarily so.

Do the math. Appeal an unappealing award offer, and take no grant for granted. Trust should never be a gift – it should be earned, every year a student is in school…

   Experience gained from past disasters has shown that it can take up to 72 hours or more to mobilize a significant relief effort during an emergency.  Therefore everyone needs to be preparing to cope on his or her own for at least the first 72 hours – that’s 3 days – of an emergency.

   Of course common sense dictates that we should be prepared for any emergency situation, however the fact is that only a few of us are ready for even the smallest crisis, let alone one of larger significance. 

   One obvious advantage of being prepared – it allows emergency workers to focus on people in very urgent need of their help. To support their efforts, the rest of us must to be prepared to look after ourselves for at least 72 hours.

   The San Francisco area is exposed to a wide variety of hazards, both natural and man-made. The path of destruction that Hurricane Katrina left in its wake across the southern U.S. in August 2005 and the widespread flooding of 2007 – 2008 have provided a horrific reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters. Unfortunately no part of our country, or North America for that matter is immune to a natural or a man-made disaster.

   Earthquakes, power outages, floods, fires, severe storms and acts of terrorism are just some of the potential emergencies. Many of these emergencies have been deadly in the past. Being prepared can save lives and can help to reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family. 

Why prepare your family? 

   Imagine for a moment that you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine that all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. What will you do until help arrives?

   What will you do if your local authorities issue and emergency evacuation order?  Remember, in such a circumstance there will be no stores open for you to acquire anything, the store personal will be evacuating also!

   If you have not prepared beforehand for either of these events, both you and your family may have a very difficult time when a disaster strikes your hometown. 

   While governments are working hard to keep citizens safe, we all have an important role to play in emergency preparedness and response. By being prepared to take care of yourself, you allow community resources to be used more effectively during an emergency and you help keep your own family safe at the same time. Very simply put, emergency preparedness must begin at home.

Start to plan today!

   As neither man-made nor natural emergencies can be predicted; therefore it is imperative that we are all prepared well in advance of the disaster.

I cannot over stress this point.  

   Prepare your emergency kit and your family – so in the case of a major emergency like a flood or blackout – you are ready to take care of yourself and your loved ones for at least 72 hours. You should be prepared to live without running water, electricity, gas, telephones and assistance from safety services for at least three days following a disaster. 

What do you need? 

   You need to have an “Emergency Kit” in your home, ready to go at a moments notice.

   Your family Emergency Kit is comprised of two separate parts, a First Aid Kit and a Go Bag.

   Your own 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family. Store your emergency supplies in an easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trashcan, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker or individual pack.  

Your First Aid Kit 

   In any emergency situation, you or a family member may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. It is imperative that you keep basic first aid supplies handy so you are prepared to assist when someone is hurt. Medical help may not be available during or immediately after a large-scale disaster.

My personal list of items that should be in your First Aid Kit: 

Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes

Gauze pads and bandages

Butterfly Closure bandages

Sterile dressings to stop bleeding (Blood stopper)

Elastic Wrap

Instant cold pack

Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect

Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection

Burn ointment

Sting Relief Pads (for insect bites)

Sunscreen packets

Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant

Cotton tips

Scissors

Tweezers

At least two pairs of disposable gloves

A First Aid Instruction Guide

Hygiene kits

Flashlight or brightstick 

Medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication  

Your Go Bag:

   A major component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Every household should pack a Go Bag — a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation order. 

   Your Go Bag may be assembled or purchased as a ready-made kit for convenience. Your Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy backpack or suitcase on wheels.

   The Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year as an emergency evacuation order can occur at any time of the year. 

   Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each is tagged with the name of the person it was packed for. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work.  

Items that should be in your Go Bag:

The prescription medications you take every day such as insulin or heart medication.

All prescribed medical supplies such as glucose or blood pressure monitors

Drinking Water

Non-perishable food such as food ration bars or Meal-in-a-Box

Manual can opener

Plates, utensils and other cooking supplies

Flashlight and extra batteries or Hand-charged Flashlight

Pocketknife or Multifunctional Tool

Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries

Whistle

Waterproof Matches

Water filtration bottle

Duct Tape, permanent marker, and paper

Cable Ties

Light Stick

Rope or twine

Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls

Heavy work gloves

Disposable lighters

Phillips Screw Driver

Standard Screw Driver

Folding Shovel w/Sheath

Trash Bags

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Personal Hygiene kit

Shave Kit

Maps

Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, gloves and a warm hat

Emergency Survival Sleeping Bag

Rain Ponchos

Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes

List of emergency contact phone numbers

List of allergies to any drug or food

Copy of health insurance and identification cards

Extra prescription eyeglasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items

Prescription medications

Extra keys to your house and vehicle

Disposable camera

Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities.

Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

   Remember that if you have to leave your house due to an evacuation order, you will be living and sleeping somewhere else for a while. It is therefore a good idea to add some activity items to the kids Go Bag.

Some suggestions may be a couple of favorite books

Crayons, pencils and plenty of paper

A puzzle

A favorite toy such as a doll or action figure

One or two board games

A deck of cards

A Favorite stuffed animal or puppet

Favorite blanket or pillow 

   I sincerely hope that this article will provide the incentive for you to get prepared for an emergency now.  Don’t put if off for another day.  The safety and well being of your family is at stake. 

Allan Wright

First Aid Kit Products

Americans in general love camping and to many families, it plays a very important role in their lifestyle. Camping allows everyone to get away from his or her hectic city life and recharge the batteries. It is also a fun way to spend quality time with friends and family and discover this great country of ours.

In days gone by, private camping sites were mostly populated by hunters, couriers and explorers who only needed to stay for a day or two. Today, this trend is alive and well but more and more people are turning to camping as a great outdoor and recreation activity.

What you require

People generally have different needs and wants and that is usually reflected in the equipment that they bring on a camping trip. However the bear essentials that most would be equipped with would be at the very least, a tent, clothes, food usually in tins, first aid kit, sleeping bags and some kind of ground cover. Today however, many campers prefer to do it in style and many are equipped with camper vans or trailers that are jammed packed with all the comfort that you would want.

New beginnings

If you are just starting out on your own, don’t worry. Just get the items listed above, load your vehicle, and head out. It is a good idea to try and stay a bit closer to home on your first trip as camping might just not be your thing after all, and the trip back would be a fairly quick one. If you feel a bit overwhelmed at fist, that’s ok. We all had to start somewhere and the best way to learn is to watch seasoned campers and see how they go about things. In any case, most campers already have something in common with you and that is the love of the great outdoors and should you need help, most would not object to offer assistance.

To do list

If you are planning a family camping getaway, the fist thing on your list is to make a booking at your chosen camping site. Try to get in as early as possible to get a pretty good camping site and avoid disappointments. Your next task would be to make sure that you have everything that is required and stock up if necessary. Get your vehicle checked up and arrange for someone to keep an eye on your place for the days that you will be away. Lastly, make sure that you have an up to date map and that you plan your route. If it is a long trip, try to take a route where the whole family will have plenty of places to stop and take short break

Camping with kids

Kids love outdoor activities but best of all they love to explore. Going camping gives them an opportunity to stretch their wings and learn about new things. They can completely lose themselves in this new adventure that is so very different to what they have been accustomed to.

Safety is paramount

There is nothing worse that an accident on a camping trip, and before leaving your home, you should try to point out as many of the dangers as you can to you children and have a plan should a major accident happen. You should ensure that you carry a first aid kit at all times for minor accidents. Remember that you will sometimes be hundreds of miles from the nearest hospital and that prevention will always be better that the cure.