Well before you leave, get your toddler used to sleeping in a different place. Buy a portable . . . → Read More: Episode 17 – How to Make Camping Safe for Toddlers]]>

When camping with toddlers there are many accidents waiting to happen because little ones seem able to get into trouble without even trying. Here are a few tips to save your sanity and help keep your toddler safe.

Well before you leave, get your toddler used to sleeping in a different place. Buy a portable cot, or try a mattress on the floor – anything to get them used to bedding down in a strange area. Pitch a tent in the back yard and try sleeping out there with them for one night, just to see if they will settle.

Choose a safe spot with lots of level ground and not too close to lakes, rivers or steep gullies. Toddlers love water and can overbalance very quickly. Use a portable play-pen for times when your attention will be distracted from them, like when you are cooking.  Take extra family members to help with watching your toddler. Each person should take it in turns to be with them, so that all can have some time free.

Make sure you pack their favorite toy so they has something familiar to cuddle up to at night. Settle them away from bugs and light, unless they are used to having a nightlight. If this is the case, take a battery-powered light to use, rather than a kerosene lantern that could get knocked over.

Make sure your toddler has plenty of fluids, warm and cool clothing, insect repellent and sunscreen. Take along mild medication like Panadol for emergencies and soothing cream for insect bites. In fact, a special bag for first-aid should be a priority on every camping trip. A sunhat and a warm cap for the evenings will be beneficial. Choose the brightest colored clothing you can find for your toddler to wear. Then if the unthinkable happens and he wanders away, it will be easier to find him.

Don’t worry about keeping your toddler in clean clothes. He will be crawling around on Mother Earth all day; keeping him clean will be impossible. Check the ground at your campsite as soon as you get there for broken glass, sharp rocks and cigarette butts. Make sure there are no ant or wasp nests, stinging nettles or poison ivy close by.

Never move your vehicle unless you can see where your toddler is. Don’t trust that he will stay away from the wheels long enough for you to move the vehicle.

That’s it for our Family Camping article about camping safety for toddlers.

If you’d like more of these tips – visit our website at:

http://familycamping.howto-you.com

where you can purchase our book on family camping, and subscribe to our mailing list for a series of additional tips and ideas.