Hiking-Safety


 * Hiking is one of the most popular and enjoyed outdoor activities for all ages. Children love the outdoors and they love to be active. Hiking provides a great deal of quality time with your children and also a wonderful place to teach them to love, enjoy and respect nature. Proper planning will insure a successful hike.
 * Start out with short hikes and slowly build up their conditioning and endurance. Hike are supposed to be fun, not forced and upsetting. Don't expect them to go as far or as fast as you can. Five miles for any child is the maximum.
 * Make sure they have the proper footwear. This is as important for them as it is for you. Nylon liner socks and a heavier sock are also a must to avoid getting blister.
 * Leave plenty of time for your hike. Be prepared to stop often. Kids love to touch everything they see. Plan hikes near interesting things to build their anticipation. Take time to identify things along the way. Look for wildlife. Teach your children to explore and touch...not to destroy or collect. Don't forget to take lots of pictures for their scrapbook.
 * Teach them good outdoor ethics and to respect nature and other people. Stay on the trail and don't allow them to take shortcuts. No yelling or loud noises. Don't throw rocks or break tree branches. Don't pick flowers or write on rocks. No running on the trails. Respect other hikers space. No littering. Remember--pack in, pack out.
 * Keep kids away from steep cliffs and other drop off areas. Watch them closely when climbing on rocks and around water.
 * Bring plenty of water and snacks.
 * Don't forget the first aid kit for those unexpected accidents.
 * Engage your child's mind and body. Make the hike fun. Sing songs. Identify items. Play games such as I Spy, twenty questions or cloud pictures etc. Have a prepared scavenger hunt. Be creative. Use your imagination and enjoy this special time with your children.
 * Remember that spring summer and fall are Lyme Disease seasons. Be cautious but not overly frightened of this possibility. A tick carrying Lyme Disease is very tiny unlike the common dog tick. Check yourself and your family after hiking starting from the bottom up. Usually ticks are picked up on low grasses near to the ground. A good insecticide containing DEET sprayed on socks and clothes is a safe precaution and can keep mosquitos and biting flies away too. Skin So Soft has not been proven to be effective on ticks... stick with the DEET. ||  ||
 * Remember that spring summer and fall are Lyme Disease seasons. Be cautious but not overly frightened of this possibility. A tick carrying Lyme Disease is very tiny unlike the common dog tick. Check yourself and your family after hiking starting from the bottom up. Usually ticks are picked up on low grasses near to the ground. A good insecticide containing DEET sprayed on socks and clothes is a safe precaution and can keep mosquitos and biting flies away too. Skin So Soft has not been proven to be effective on ticks... stick with the DEET. ||  ||