What Should You Take On Your Family Hiking Trip?

A family hiking trip is a wonderful way to get your kids out of the house, away from all of those electronic devices and experience everything that nature has to offer. No matter where you live there are probably a number of hikes that you can take your family on that are just a short drive away. As enjoyable as getting out into nature can be, one thing to keep in mind is that whenever you head into the great outdoors, no matter how close to civilization you are, you should always come prepared to deal with any emergency that could pop up.

Possibly the most important thing to consider when going out on a family hike is the clothes that you wear. The biggest tip I can give you here is to dress for the current weather conditions, but be prepared for a change. The weather is unpredictable. The sunniest day can turn cold, rainy and windy without much notice. This is especially true if your family is hiking in the mountains. If the weather is nice and warm go ahead and dress light, but you should always have something heavier and ideally rain proof that you can pull on if a change does take place. This is especially important for little kids because their bodies are particularly susceptible to changes in the weather.

Another item that you should bring with you on a hiking trip for the family is a basic first aid kit. This kit should include bandages of various sizes, antiseptic cream, alcohol or iodine swabs, aloe vera cream, small scissors or a sharp knife, tweezers and pain medication. If anyone in your family is on prescription medication you should have enough of it in the kit to last for several days. It is also a good idea to keep sunblock and insect repellent in your first aid kit as well as a few small flashlights.

Food and water should always come with you when you go on a hiking trip. It will not only make the trip more pleasant for your whole family, but it could also become a life saver if an emergency does take place. The last thing you want to have happen is be stranded in the woods with your family but have no way to feed them. You should always bring enough food and water to last for several days. To cut down on weight you can bring nutrition bars, granola and other calorie dense foods. Avoid bringing perishable foods that can quickly spoil and take up a lot of space.

The last essential items I want to mention here have to do with keeping your family warm. Bring enough thermal blankets for the whole family as well as matches and a good fire starter like cotton balls dipped in Vaseline.

Take all of the items mentioned above on your next family hiking trip and you will not only have a great time, but you can rest easy knowing that your family will be safe in virtually any circumstance nature throws at you.

About Author:

Michael has been working in safety supplies and emergency kits industry for more than five years. As a product manager for EDisasterSystems, he knows his merchandise and all the requirements from OSHA. He likes to write and share his ideas about the importance of safety and emergency prevention.