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Keeping Kids Safe and Healthy on 4th of July
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Independence Day is a time to relax and celebrate all our Country’s freedom has to offer. When it falls on a weekend, as it does this year, the recreational opportunities in Colorado are endless.
Many of us will opt to spend the extended weekend in the mountains. With these adventures comes an added responsibility to
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As a new step-parent, this will be the first holiday weekend I will be camping with my step daughter. I’m used to just looking out for myself, and my dog. This year, I’m thinking about things like poison ivy and mosquito bites, and dangerous wildlife with a whole new vigilance.
If you’re new to Colorado, there are some things you need to prepare for you haven’t had to think about before, like encounters with wildlife or serious sunburns from our thin atmosphere.
A little advance preparationf or your weekend and alleviating unneeded stress or uncomfortable situations.
A GREAT EXPERIENCE IN THE GREAT OUTOORS
Fireworks displays and camping trips are great to take in when you’re enjoying Colorado’s great surroundings. But it will be much more enjoyable if you pack a family “Outdoor Kit” with some essentials:
- SUNSCREEN ( Waterproof with a MINIMUM SPF 30)
In the mountains, use a higher SPF. Your kids will burn faster at higher elevations. And make sure you re-apply even waterproof sunscreen if your kids have been in the pool or lake.
- FLASHLIGHT & BATTERIES
There's nothing worse than looking for keys, toys or sunglasses blindly when the fireworks show is over, and you don’t want anyone getting lost on their way from the campsite to the outhouse.
- ALOE
Aloe covers a multitude of sins… such as sun overexposure, or running into a patch of bushes or poison ivy. Calamine lotion and Bactine is also great to have on hand for unexpected scrapes and irritation
- WATER, SNACKS AND.... MORE WATER!
-If you’re not used to the altitude in Colorado, or even if you’re a native, you need to remember to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
-Water helps prevent altitude sickness and exhaustion at higher elevations.
-The hot July temperatures and exerting yourself with a hike or swim makes it even more important to have plenty of clean drinking water on hand. Plan ahead with some gallon jugs if you plan to camp off the beaten path. And don’t forget to bring extra for the dogs!
-SNACKS: the kind that pack a lot of energy and less sugar are ideal for powering your kids through a weekend of playing and activities. Granola bars, nuts, apples and other healthy snacks will power them through a long day better than sugary snacks. And that will keep the grouchy’s away through the evening’s fireworks, so Mom and Dad can relax and enjoy too!
- ALLERGY MEDICATION
If your child has allergies, or eczema as mine does, be sure to take prescriptions and topical ointments for any unexpected reactions to bug bites or stings. If they may have severe allergies, you might consider an advance prescription for injectible epinephren from your pediatrician. This can be used immediately before calling for medical help.
NO LIONS AND TIGERS… BUT BEARS, OH MY!!
Camping out is a great way to create lasting memories with your step child and your spouse. But make sure to “bear-proof” your campsite, and keep other wild neighbors from disrupting your experience. Bears, raccoons, mountain lions and wolves will all be sharing the space with you, so it’s important to educate your family on keeping food sealed tightly, watching out for pets, and knowing how to respond if you encounter wildlife unexpectedly.
There are some great resources online through the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the State Parks to help you prepare for an adventure in the mountains, without it getting TOO wild!
Before leaving, Check out:
CAMPING AND HIKING IN BEAR COUNTRY:
WILDLIFE DISCOVERY PAGES: A fun page for kids to download activities that can help the, spot wildlife when traveling in Colorado:
LIVING WITH COYOTES IN COLORADO:
BE BEAR AWARE:
COLORADO STATE PARKS RECREATION AND WILDLIFE EDUCATION:
Hope this helps you have a safe and healthy holiday weekend! Enjoy your celebration of the Red White and Blue and the freedom to enjoy it in Colorado’s beautiful surroundings!
FOR MORE INFO GO TO:
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