Camping is an excellent way to strengthen your family bonds while enjoying the picturesque scenery that Fall brings. What’s more, you’d be teaching your kids essential skills and promoting a healthy lifestyle. You also get to enjoy a warm mug of chocolate or coffee while appreciating the crisp mornings. However, camping is not without its health hazards, and you need to avoid them for the best experience. That said, here are some things to avoid when camping in the fall season.
Excess sun exposure
The sun facilitates the production of Vitamin D, which protects you against cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes, among others. Moreover, it improves your mood and boosts growth in children. Therefore, it’s understandable if you want to bask in the sun as you explore your surroundings or relax. However, too much exposure could cause more harm than good.
For instance, you can risk dehydration, heatstroke, or exhaustion when you’re out in the sun for an extended period. Other severe symptoms include fever and hot, dry skin, so keep this in mind. Consequently, get out of the sun when you experience nausea, sweating, vomiting, weakness, and headache. It’s also advisable to wear a hat and sunglasses, apply sunscreen regularly, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. However, seek immediate medical attention when you feel confused, lethargic, or experience seizures.
Toxic plants
Except you’re camping in your backyard, you’d have to be cautious of various toxic plants that grow in the wild. Plants to look out for include water hemlock, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, etc. Exposure to these plants can cause rashes, swelling, itching, pain, and weeping blisters. When injected, they can cause abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and seizures, among others. Consequently, take the proper precautions when preparing for your camping trip.
For instance, you can wear pants, socks, shoes, and a long-sleeve shirt to minimize contact. When accidental exposure occurs, wash the affected area with soap and water within 15 minutes to avoid its symptoms. Suppose you develop rashes or blisters. In that case, treat the area with over-the-counter antihistamines or calamine lotion. You may also need medical attention if the rashes are large and cause severe pain.
Insect stings and bites
There’s no avoiding the unwelcome presence of insects when you’re camping outdoors. Fall isn’t free from bugs, as you’d see more bees, wasps, hornets, stink bugs, beetles, and mosquitoes, among others. That said, can you stay bug-free on your camping trip? Yes, you can! You only need to observe some rules. For instance, it’s not advisable to wear perfume, cologne, or floral print attires, as these could attract bees to your camp.
By all means, wear long-sleeved clothing and cover your sugary foods as an extra precaution. Perhaps you were unlucky and got stung by a bee. In that case, please take out the stinger, and treat it with Tylenol, antihistamine, or ibuprofen. You can also leverage mosquito traps that work wonders to prevent the insects from ruining your outdoor experience.
Although camping is fun, it’s not without its dangers. Therefore, knowing and preventing these hazards will help make your outdoor experience a memorable one.
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