Outdoor Possible Risk
Sunburn
Spending time outdoors means spending time in the sun. Consistent protection from sun exposure all year round is important on cloudy and hazy days, as well as bright and sunny days. To prevent burning, follow these sun protection practices. If you're outside with children, see Play It Safe in the Sun.
Bug Bites
The best defense against bug bites is to use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. CDC recommends deet, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus against mosquitoes, and repellents with 20% or more deet against ticks. Always follow the directions on the package. Wear long sleeves and pants when possible. Learn more about protection from mosquitoes and Fight the Bite!. To reduce your risk for tick-borne diseases, follow these tips and Stop Ticks.
Scrapes and Scratches
Blisters, scratches, and scuffed knees are common on a hiking trail, so bring items necessary to clean and, if necessary, bandage them. Prompt treatment can help prevent infection and promote healing. Your backpack should hold first aid supplies that you might need if someone gets hurt.
Questionable Drinking Water
Your best bet to ensure your drinking water is safe is to bring bottled water from a trusted source on your hike or camping trip. If this isn't possible, you can disinfect water by bringing it to a rolling boil for 1 minute (at high altitudes for 3 minutes). Other options are to chemically disinfect or filter your water. For more specific information, see Water Treatment Methods.