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Uncharted Territory: 7 Easy Ways to Keep Your Family Safe While Camping

HelenaBadPlaceToBe

Updated: Nov 18, 2024

Camping can be an incredible experience – filled with the sweet sounds of nature, the aroma of a crackling campfire, and the cherished moments spent with family. However, while you enjoy the great outdoors, it's crucial to prioritize safety – lest the only sound you want to hear is the buzz of the emergency helicopter!


Here are seven easy tips to help keep your family secure while you explore uncharted territory together!


Family camping in the great outdoors

1. Prepare Your Campground


Before heading out, it’s important to know where you are going. Familiarize yourself with the campground, its rules, and any natural hazards. For example, if you're camping near water, understand the local currents. In a recent survey, 62% of campers reported feeling safer when they researched their campsite beforehand.


Check forums and local park websites for updates and reviews. This research can help you avoid trouble spots, like areas prone to flooding or heavy wildlife activity.


2. Gear Up the Right Way


Having the right gear is essential for comfort and safety. Invest in quality camping equipment, like weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy tents. A well-equipped camper is safer; for instance, wearing moisture-wicking clothing can prevent hypothermia if temperatures drop.


Make a checklist, including:

  • First-aid supplies

  • Flashlights with extra batteries


For your family of four, budgeting around $300 for these essentials can significantly enhance your safety and comfort.


Camping gear laid out for a family trip

3. Set Up a Safe Camp


Once you arrive, carefully choose a location for your tent. Look for a flat, dry area away from hazards like loose rocks or overhanging branches. A safe camp setup can prevent most injuries, as 29% of camping injuries are due to improper site selection.


Avoid placing your tents under "widow makers"—branches that might fall during strong winds. Keeping your campsite organized also minimizes tripping hazards, especially when kids run around.


4. Teach Basic Safety Rules


Before your camping adventure kicks off, gather the family to discuss safety rules. Teach them to stay within sight of one another and explain what to do in emergencies.


For example, if someone gets lost, they should stay put and signal for help. Establishing a family safety plan ensures everyone knows how to react during unexpected situations. Kids are likely to follow rules that they understand and feel part of creating.


5. Stay Connected


In our digital age, staying connected is critical for safety. Ensure someone in your group has a fully charged phone and a portable power bank. Share your itinerary—including your expected arrival and departure times—with a friend or family member who isn’t going.


This communication is not just a safety measure; it can be a lifesaver. In fact, having a clear plan allows rescuers to find you swiftly if an emergency arises.


6. Be Aware of Wildlife


Camping means a close encounter with nature, including wildlife. Store food in bear-proof containers, ideally 100 yards away from your sleeping area. In recent reports, bear encounters rose by 15% in popular camping zones, emphasizing the need for caution.


Teach children to respect wildlife. A good rule is to maintain a safe distance—at least 100 yards from larger animals like bears. Encourage kids to watch wildlife from afar, fostering a respect for nature without compromising safety.


7. Monitor Weather Conditions


Weather can change quickly while camping, so it’s crucial to stay informed. Apps that provide real-time weather updates can help you anticipate stormy conditions. According to a study, 60% of camping trips cut short by bad weather could have been avoided with proper alerts.


If rain or severe winds are forecasted, don’t hesitate to pack up and move to a safer location. Remember, your family’s comfort and safety come first, even if it means adjusting your plans.


Safety First for Memorable Adventures


Camping is one of the best family bonding experiences, but safety should always be a priority. By preparing ahead, securing the right gear, and teaching essential safety rules, you can create exciting and safe adventures together.


Embrace the beauty of the great outdoors while ensuring your family's safety. With these tips, your camping trip can be filled with laughter and unforgettable memories.


Happy camping!


Like this post? Please click the heart (Helena loves your heart 'likes'!) and keep your eye out for more articles from her soon.

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The authors of Best Tent Blog assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Every camping decision you make is your own and we accept no liability whatsoever.

Best Tent Blog was created over a beer one night when three friends were talking about what, exactly, they so loved about the great outdoors.

 

Mitch, our founder, put down his drink to explain that his own particular fascination with camping tents stemmed from a trip he'd had when he was just 10 years old on a rough strip of grass not far from his best friend's house. In the middle of town.

 

It was the least glamorous introduction to camping that anyone could imagine – five pre-pubescent guys wedged into a three-person tent with just enough floor space to accommodate them and their (limited) camping gear.

Camping tents were fairly unwieldy back then, and Mitch remembers the hellish struggle of trying to haul the fart-infested sack of canvas back to his friend's house.

Other tents of the lightweight variety were for more serious campers, he quickly realised, upon buying a camping magazine from the local news guy a few days later.

"That magazine introduced me to a world of backpacking tents, car camping tents, tent poles, four season tents and a whole lot more," Mitch says. "The ads at the back were full of exciting-looking products that made me want them for no other reason than they looked cool. I was hooked."


 

Fast forward a few years, and Mitch was camping on a small island with his girlfriend when he noticed that she'd inadvertently hitched a pair of boxer shorts out of his backpack and was swinging them around the tent on a pole like an all-conquering flag-waver.

Then there was the time at a sold-out summer rock festival where he attempted to leap over a friend's two person camping tent and fell face-first over a guy rope, hurtling headlong into the tent body.

 

The fact is, we all have stories like this (OK, not exactly like this). Whether you're a serious backpacker who has hiked the Appalachian trail or an occasional weekend camper – tents will have somehow wormed their way into your affection. And your drinking stories.

 

You'll maybe have discussed the intricacies of interior space with a guy in a camping store; exchanged your views on fair weather camping and multi-room family camping tents; you'll have wondered if you could convert the family Nissan for a weekend of car camping.

 

This is the tent-lover's life. And once you're in – you're in.

 

 

As well as wanting to give people an idea about the best tents for their needs – based on reviews from experts and the most-respected websites, such as outsideonline – we wanted to encapsulate that love of camping that affects so many of us.

 

In our blogs, you'll find information about the:

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And more. Whether you're looking for the best tent blog, the best camping blog, the best outdoors blog or – more likely – a two minute distraction from your day job, we've hopefully got you covered.

We have information about what is the best camping tent in different scenarios, the best budget tent, the best overall camping tent and you'll find blogs about fishing, hiking trails, weather resistance and sleeping bags too.

Whether you have one tent and are looking to acquire more, or you already have a six person tent, a backpacking tent and a brace of dome tents for visitors, we hope you'll find something here that keeps you entertained, informed – and fuels your love of the great outdoors.

Here's to you, here's to us – here's to another night under the stars.

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