You have arrived at the campground during summer and sent the children off to the playground while you set up camp. It's during these premature moments at the campground that we tend to get excited and somewhat flat to those little mishaps, like scrapes and small cuts, while moving all the gear and setting up camping gear. So be prepared for camping disasters with a well-stocked first aid kit.

The well-stocked first aid kit contains:

•    Bandages and gauze of various sizes
•    Antiseptic creams and ointments
•    Sterile wipes and rinse solutions
•    Pain medicine
•    Tweezers, scissors, and knife
•    Sunburn relief spray
•    Anti-diarrhea medicine


So what type of accidents should one expect while camping? Fine, there are always the infrequent cuts, scrapes, and scratches. We are playing outdoors at present, and common camping tasks can be dangerous. Hiking through brush, prickle bushes, or cactus; cooking in the open air or around campfires; and revealing ourselves to the elements and insects are just some examples of the outdoor activities that require our attention. Hence be prepared for such activities!

To remedy cuts, scrapes, and scratches, comprise a variety of bandages, and also have some antiseptic swipes and antibiotic cream on hand. Hydrogen peroxide comes in handy for washing out cuts, and a salty solution is a great relief for washing out eyes should you happen to sit down too close to a campfire and get ashes or cinders in them. Q-tips and liquid pain relief solution come in useful for bug bites or small cuts and scratches.

Tweezers come in handy for removing thorns and fragment, and scissors or a knife will help to cut tape and bindings. Don't forget Tylenol and aspirin for headache and internal pain relief, and for intestinal problems include some Imodium or other anti-diarrhea medicine for stomach problems. Other items to consider might be suntan relief spray, if possible an Aloe Vera solution, Chopstick for the lips, zinc oxide for skin protection, burn ointment, and where appropriate, a snakebite kit etc.

As a final tip, be sure to check your first aid kit annually and refill any exhausted or out-of-date medicines and supplies. And don't forget to always take a good-stocked first aid kit whenever you like to go camping.