Want to know how to stay safe while camping? If safety is a major concern for your family when heading outdoors, we are here to ease your worries. From choosing a 4-person tent that provides adequate shelter to keeping food safe from wildlife, here are several ways campers can plan appropriately and be mindful to enjoy a safe outdoor adventure.
Choose a suitable shelter
One of the best ways to stay safe while camping is to choose the right shelter. In other words, a durable tent that is well-placed on a site and set back from steep drops, rivers or lakes.
Canvas tents—whether a 4-person A-frame tent or a spacious 20-foot diameter bell tent—are ideal. With a long camping history, sturdy canvas tents can withstand all kinds of weather and offer exceptional stability. Plus, they can keep you warm in cold weather while providing breathability during the summer months.
Check the weather before you leave
Always check (and even monitor!) the weather forecast before heading out on a camping trip.
Many campers can handle a light drizzle on the roof of a tent. It’s a great excuse to head inside to play and read. But the last thing you want is to encounter severe weather like thunderstorms, floods, or simply sub-zero nighttime temperatures. Even if the weather is normal, just knowing what you’re up against can help you decide whether to reschedule your camping trip or embrace it, pack appropriate clothing, and venture out anyway.
Also, if you’re camping in areas with smoke (like Oregon or California), use an app like AirCare to check AQI (air quality index) levels and avoid air pollution.
Bring the right clothing and protection
Once you have an idea of the weather forecast, you can pack protective clothing, accessories, and other gear to help you stay safe while camping. We won’t go into detail about camp clothing, but just consider the following:
Sun Protection: Summer or winter, it doesn’t matter! Bring sunscreen, lip balm, a wide-brimmed hat to cover your face, and wear UPF clothing if possible to protect yourself from the sun while camping. Winter
Protection: Warmer clothing and layers. Hats, gloves, socks, and underwear are essential. Wool is a great material to use, keeping you warm while offering the wicking properties of the blend.
Rain Protection: For rainy days and humid environments, waterproof boots will keep your feet dry. Also, bring water-repellent outerwear and an umbrella – just in case!
Bring plenty of water and keep food cool
water bottle at the campsite
Dehydration can happen pretty quickly, so don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Make sure to carry a gallon per camper per day. This is more than the 64-ounce recommendation, but for good reason: camping and spending time outdoors typically requires more energy. Plus, being out in the hot sun can make you sweat harder, even if you’re just sitting around.
Heading into the wilderness and want to forgo bringing tons of water? Find a site near a water source and bring a water filtration system to help replenish your water.
Also, learn the signs of dehydration !
Another way to stay safe while camping is to keep perishable foods cold and in coolers. Foodborne illness and food poisoning are a real possibility if your cooler fails to properly store meats and other foods.
It’s also important to separate raw foods and wash your hands when preparing food.
One way to keep a clean prep area is to bring a camp kitchen and designate a separate area for cleanup.
Be aware of wildlife
Okay, this safety issue is often a concern for new campers. Snakes, spiders, bears; it pays to know what’s roaming the area. On top of that, it helps to know how to avoid contact and how to react if you do come face to face with something.
In general, keep coolers and food—anything with a scent that might attract wildlife—secure. If there’s a bear canister, use it! Otherwise, your best bet is to hang food in a tree . If bears aren’t part of the equation, you can store food inside the car—but only then! Bears have surprisingly nimble little paws and a lot of strength. They’ve been known to pry open car doors and break windows.
Understanding Fire Safety
campfire with campers in background
Fire safety is a major concern, especially in drought conditions. Keep your fire going and contained in a fire pit or fire ring. This will help ensure it doesn’t get out of control.
Also, never leave a fire unattended and always put it out before leaving the campsite or going to bed. Pour water on hot embers and extinguish your wood stove too.
It’s also a good idea to place tents away from bonfires. Or, you could forgo the fire pit altogether and opt for a wood stove – a great alternative to keeping a canvas tent warm!
Carry a first aid kit and emergency medications
Always pack a first aid kit – or even make your own! A DIY outdoor first aid kit includes very specific items like sunburn relief, bug bite remedies, and more.
Also, be sure to pack any special medications that each camper needs. For example, an EpiPen for campers with allergies.
Be aware of how each camper’s body reacts. Swelling or shortness of breath can be signs of invisible problems like bug bites.
It also doesn’t hurt to know where the nearest hospital is!
Take a Wilderness First Aid Course
Improve your camping safety by enrolling in the Red Cross Wilderness First Aid course . This hands-on training is typically offered by local outdoor sporting goods stores.
