Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Camp Safely
Camping is a fun way to get family and friends together to enjoy the outdoors. Take a few minutes to help ensure your camping trip is safe and healthy.
- Ask your health care provider if you are up-to-date on recommended vaccinations before your camping trip. Make an appointment to get them if needed.
- Pack healthy snacks, water, adequate clothes, and a first aid kit.
- Never leave a campfire unattended. Before you leave, be sure you put out your campfire completely.
- Put on protective gear, such as helmets, sturdy shoes, and life jackets, depending on the activity.
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use fuel-burning equipment, such as gas stoves, heaters, lanterns, and charcoal grills inside or near a tent, camper, or other enclosed shelter.
- Some wild animals carry diseases that are dangerous to people. Enjoy watching wild animals from a safe distance in their natural surroundings.
- Put on insect repellent containing 20% DEET.
- Wear light colored clothing so you can see ticks better. Check yourself, your family, and your pets for ticks, and remove them promptly.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Put on sunscreen with at least SPF 15, and cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
Learn More
Camping Health and Safety Tips and Packing Checklist
Skin Cancer Awareness: Protect Your Skin
What You Need to Know About Mosquito Repellent
This site contains documents in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
to access the file. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, you may download a
free copy from the Adobe Web site.
Content Source: CDC Office
of Women’s Health
Page last modified: July 3, 2012
Page last reviewed: July 3, 2012
Page last modified: July 3, 2012
Page last reviewed: July 3, 2012