The days are getting longer, the nights are getting warmer and the scent of freshly cut grass is luring you to "The Great Outdoors." Perhaps this weekend will be your first time out sleeping under the stars with the kids or maybe they are seasoned pro's by now. Either way you'll want to make sure they have the best kind of equipment. The latest childrens sleeping bags all come in the coolest designs that they'll love but when it comes to our kids - safety always comes first and never more so than when they'll be camping out with you in unfamiliar surroundings. Check out our Top 3 Safety Factors you need to think about before you buy - so that your child can get a good night's sleep and you can rest easy too.
Warm n toasty or Chilly Willy.
Will your bag be used for indoor dens or a snuggle in front of the TV or are you stepping out into nature? Before you buy - make sure you know the lowest temperature of the area your kids will be camping in and be careful - the popular cartoon character bags are often only suitable as slumber bags for indoor use.
Most bags come with a temperature rating of between 15 and 50 fahrenheit. You'll want to buy a bag that's a good few (ideally 15 - 20 degrees) lower than the lowest temperature you'll be camping in. You don't want them getting cold in the night. Us humans are not a precise art either- every one has a different body temperature and girls tend to feel the cold more than boys. You know your own kids best so take that into consideration.
As a rough guide - Winter sleeping bags are suitable for -10 degrees fahrenheit and below, Cold Weather bags from -10 to 10, 3 Season Bags from -10 to 35 fahrenheit and Summer bags are +35 degrees fahrenheit.
The Mummy style (so - called because of the Egyptian mummy shape) is most suitable for cold weather camping as the tapered end lends itself to greater thermal insulation. Rectangular bags are cooler due to the increased empty space that the style creates around the body.
Age and Size.
How old is your child and have you found a bag for their age and size? Many sleeping bags start aged 4 years and upwards so if you are planning to take toddler on her first camping trip you'll need to get creative on how to keep her warm as well as making sure she's are safe.
Some happy campers put their toddler in a fleecy all in one suit under a grobag and let them sleep in their travel cot. You will need to make sure the garments that you use are suitable for the temperatures you are camping in by checking the manufacturer's instructions on tog rating and materials. Many grobags are not or designed to be used with extra blankets or suitable for the outdoors.
A good tip for older kids is to pack lots of clothing layers that they can pile on or strip off to make sure they are always warm or cool enough in their surroundings.
You must be careful to keep an eye out for additional elements on the sleeping bags such as draw strings, cords and hoods that could provide a risk of entanglement or suffocation. Many childrens sleeping bags take this into consideration.
If your child is growing up fast then you may like to consider a convertible style that can be extended as your kid does - check out brands such as Gelert, Azuma or Vango for examples. If they are already over 5' then it might not always be a wise investment to purchase another bag; consider purchasing an adult sleeping bag instead.
Fire Retardants and other Chemicals
These days Eco- conscious moms are becoming aware of the chemicals involved in the fire - retarding process. Does the risk of a flammable sleeping bag outweigh the risk of chemicals close to young skin. Obviously it depends where your bag is going to be used - a stray lit ember from a camp fire can still be hazardous.
When it comes to selecting materials for your child's sleeping bag there are two main choices. Polyester is often preferred these days for sleeping bag liners and shells. It's popular with some parents as its less expensive, durable and light for little hands to carry. It's also non - allergenic. However the material is flammable and poly shells and interior lining can often come treated with fire- retardant chemicals.
An alternative is down. Down is made out of the natural fiber found around goose and duck feathers and is up to twice as expensive as polyester. The benefits are that this material will keep your children warmest in low temperatures, however make sure you do your research - the quality of this natural material can greatly differ between brands and manufacturers. If the material gets wet then it also becomes incredibly heavy and takes a long time to dry out.
If chemicals used in the treating process concern you - a good brand to check out is Wildkin. This American company produce uniquely pretty patterns and prints and their Original Range of sleeping bags are all made with poly outer shells that have been untreated by chemicals and are constructed of a cotton weave that provides a slow burn rate with minimal risk of ignition. They either conform to or exceed the US flammability test requirements.
If you are looking for something safe for baby for indoor use then the British company Gro - Baby produces 100% cotton linings to ensure a natural product is next to the baby's skin - this company believe that the risk of an infant coming into contact with chemicals from fire- retardant through skin contact, inhalation or sucking outweighs the risk of fire.
Summary
Whenever it comes to buying for our kids it always pays to do a bit of research first so that you can rest in the knowledge that your purchase is going to look after them. Taking into consideration these three safety factors - temperature, size and materials can help ensure that you purchase childrens sleeping bags that keep them warm and safe throughout the night and that also mean you can get a great night's sleep too, until it's time for the midnight feast that is!
Jessie K Arthur is a Camping and Leisure writer who loves travelling and getting into nature. She specializes in articles on family adventure and the great outdoors. Check out her new website Childrens Sleeping Bags, where she provides impartial information on purchasing the best sleeping bags for children and a handy Temperature Guide for more great tips on how to make sure your childrens sleeping bags stay warm or cool enough for your family's next camping trip.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/782100a3.
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