Family Life

6 Tips to Prepare for a Safe (and Fun) Camping Trip

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CanadianTire #QuakerState #CollectiveBias

We had a fantastic time on our annual family camping trip earlier this month! Camping has been a summer tradition for us since before we even had kids, and now that we have the girls, it’s even more fun. We love exploring our beautiful province, passing along outdoor skills to the kids, and focusing on quality family time. But before we get on the road, we make sure we’re ready for anything. Being prepared is the key to a successful trip!

Before you leave, follow these six simple tips to prepare for a safe and fun camping trip!

1. Check Local Alerts

Go online and check for campfire restrictions, weather warnings, and any other safety alerts for your area. If there’s a fire ban in effect, respect it!

2. Share Your Schedule

Notify a trusted friend or family member of your destination and when you expect to be back. If you’re planning more than one stop, include that info too. That way if something happens or you get stuck, someone will notice you’re late and know where to send help.

3. Pack Emergency Supplies

In addition to the usual camping gear like a tent, sleeping bags, camp stove, tarps, lantern, and cooler, remember to pack supplies in case of a medical emergency or car breakdown.

  • Take a First Aid kit and be sure to pack any medications, emergency inhalers, or Epi-pens as needed.
  • Pick up a roadside assistance kit for your car. This Canadian Tire Auto Safety Kit includes roadside emergency supplies, basic first aid supplies, and one year of roadside assistance.
  • Pack emergency supplies like blankets, bottled water, and emergency food (chocolate makes a great emergency ration – seriously!).
  • Bring a portable battery charger pack to recharge your phone in case of an emergency.

4. Check Tire Pressure

Don’t forget to check your tire pressure before you go. Properly inflated tires will give you a smoother, more comfortable ride as well as improve your fuel efficiency. You’ll also improve braking ability and ease of handling, and reduce the chances of a tire blowing out. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine the correct pressure. Don’t forget the spare tire too!

5. Change Your Oil

All that driving, stop-and-go traffic, idling, and those extreme Canadian temperatures take a toll on your car engine, so before taking off on your camping trip, check to see if it’s time to change your oil.

Before our camping trip, we picked up some Quaker State® Advanced Durability™ Motor Oil. It’s been tested in taxi fleets across North America (now that’s a true test of toughness!) to deliver twice the wear protection of the industry standard throughout its life, and I found it on sale at Canadian Tire.

Canadian Tire is my one stop shop to pick up automotive (and camping!) supplies as well to get my car questions answered at the same time. What supplies do I need to change my own oil? Which grade of motor oil is best for my car? Which oil filter should I get? No wonder their motto is Made for life in Canada.

Be sure to use the oil necessary for your car as specified in your owner’s manual, and check local Canadian Tire stores for availability!

And hey, while you’re under the hood, check the rest of your car fluids and top them up as needed.

  • Radiator fluid to keep your engine from overheating.
  • Transmission fluid to keep your transmission lubricated.
  • Power steering fluid to lubricate your power steering system.
  • Brake fluid to help you brake safely.
  • Air conditioning coolant to keep your AC system working in the summer heat.
  • Washer fluid to keep your windows clean so you can see where you’re going!

6. Bring the Fun

Don’t spend too much time worrying about what might go wrong though. All your planning will ensure a fun and safe time for the whole family so you can relax and spend some quality time together.

Make sure to pack some fun stuff for games and activities when you get there! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Pack of playing cards
  • Board games or card games
  • Frisbee, balls, jump rope
  • Colouring books for younger kids, activity books and/or novels for the older crew
  • Pencils and paper for a nature scavenger hunt

But most importantly of all, have fun!

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