Summer Recreation Safety Tips
July is National Parks and Recreation Month, making it the perfect time to visit your local parks with your family. However, whether you’re planning a camping trip or you want to take a hike in nature, you need to stay safe.
Of course, you want to make sure that your trip is an enjoyable one, and that means preparing for the unexpected. Protect yourself and your family by learning what to avoid, how to stay informed, and when to seek emergency care.
Prepare yourself by following these important summer safety tips.
Hiking Safety Tips
National parks are full of scenic trails for all skill levels, but you need to know how to hike smart.
Know your fitness level. Some trails have more difficult terrain than others; they can wind through dunes or might be in full sun.
Study the trail before you walk through it. You can often find information about the trial difficulty and terrain on the park’s website. Search the trail online, as many people rate the difficulty for hikers. Calling the park office or getting a trail map to learn more is also a good idea.
Make sure you stay hydrated, especially when hiking in the summer season. Watch for heat-related illnesses and know when to stop.
Camping Safety Tips
Camping is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the park, but you should always be aware of any risks. It’s a good idea to have a medical kit on hand in case anyone gets injured.
If you’re camping with young children, avoid setting up the tent near any large bodies of water, rivers, creek beds, and near steep drop-offs.
Understand the local wildlife in the area and how to be safe. The park office should have information on possible risks within the campground.
Keep an eye on the weather. If it looks like a bad storm might roll through, it could be in your best interest to pack up.
If you find yourself outside during a thunderstorm, seek shelter in a safe building or vehicle. Understand tornado safety tips and where you should go if you’re in danger.
Playground Safety Tips
It’s always fun to bring your kids to the playground for the day, but they can also get hurt while using playground equipment.
Kids and parents should inspect the playground equipment to look for sharp points and protruding bolt ends that could potentially cause cuts and infections. Children should also avoid hot surfaces, such as metal slides.
Playgrounds should have sufficient impact surfacing, such as a good layer of mulch.
Tell your kids to only use playground equipment as it was intended. Misuse of a swing set, for example, can result in strangulation from the chains, whiplash, concussion, fractures, etc.
General Advice
Make sure you and your family stay hydrated, take breaks to eat, and stay out of the sun when possible. You should also wear sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid sunburns and watch for heat-related illnesses.
You might not always have a cell signal, so consider getting a GPS tracker and always let someone know when you go hiking or camping in case something happens.
Follow These Summer Safety Tips
At Physicians Premier, we encourage you to enjoy a fun, active summer with your family. Follow these safety tips to make the most of your time at the park.
If you need prompt medical care, we are available 24/7. Keep the contact information for our emergency room in Bryan, TX, on hand to stay safe and prepared.
Sources:
July is Park and Recreation Month. National Recreation and Park Association. (2022). Retrieved July 8, 2022, from https://www.nrpa.org/events/july/
U.S. Department of the Interior. (2021, June 2). Types of Trails. National Parks Service. Retrieved July 8, 2022, from https://www.nps.gov/subjects/trails/types-of-trails.htm
US Department of Commerce, N.O.A.A. (2018, April 20). When a Safe Building or Vehicle is Nearby. National Weather Service. Retrieved July 8, 2022, from https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-outdoors
