Camping Safety: 10 Tips to Keep Your Family Safe on Your Next Adventure

Camping is a great activity for kids - it allows them to be outdoors and explore nature. No matter what type of camping your family prefers - whether in an RV, a tent, a cabin, or beyond - being clear on camping safety guidelines is essential. Use these tips to help organize your camping outing and keep your family safer.

Before You Go

• Are They Ready? Ask yourself if your kids are developmentally ready for sleeping outdoors. Test their comfort with a backyard campout night before venturing further.
• Be a Prepared Packer. Thoroughly think through and pack everything your family might need for the trip. It's better to be overprepared than underprepared.
• Set Expectations. Set clear boundaries ahead of time so kids know if/how far they can wander on the campsite and other safety rules. Ensure they understand what to do in an emergency and what major hazards to avoid.

Daytime Camping

• Be a Water Watcher. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 4. Never leave children unattended near water or allow them to swim during thunderstorms. If camping near a lake, river, creek, or pool, review water safety rules and bring appropriate flotation devices for everyone if you have boating or other water activities planned. Learn more water safety rules here and here.
• Wear the Right Shoes. Everyone needs to wear activity-appropriate shoes. A good choice for hiking is ankle-supported boots. Avoid bare feet or soft-soled shoes, as they won’t help protect against sharp objects on the ground, like trash, thorns, or rocks. If exploring a river, lake, or creek consider semi-open, waterproof, protective shoes to keep feet safe from rocks and slippery surfaces.
• Respect Wildlife. Do not attempt to feed or pet wildlife, even if they seem friendly. If a bite or scratch does occur, wash the wound in soap and water as quickly as possible, administer first aid, and head to the nearest urgent care. After everyone is safe, report the bite to the local health department (urgent care may do this).
• Dress for the Weather. Dress in layers to adjust to changing temperatures throughout the day. Wear bright, highly visible clothing to easily keep track of everyone. Dress for the weather, including rain gear and/or jackets and hats to protect the face and neck from sun. Consider tall socks and long pants to protect ankles and legs from snake bites and irritation from tall grass or other plants.

Nighttime Camping

• Practice Campfire Safety. More than half of camping injuries are caused by campfire burns. To help prevent injuries, prepare a 3-foot safety zone around the fire, educate children on fire safety tips, always maintain active adult supervision, and ensure the fire is fully extinguished before going to bed. Click here to learn more campfire safety tips.
• Food Storage. Store food and all scented items, including trash, in a bear-safe or odor-concealing container away from your sleeping area. Never keep food in your tent. Keep your food storage, tent, and cooking areas separate to help prevent attracting animals.
• Sleep Safely and Stay Dry. It’s still important to follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep, even out of the home! Infants should sleep on a flat, firm surface with no loose bedding, not in sleeping bags - consider bringing a portable crib into the tent. Sleep with your head uphill and avoid low ground to prevent rainwater pooling. Keep space heaters and generators away from tents to avoid fire and carbon monoxide hazards.

Among all these tips, remember basic safety skills like staying , wearing bug spray and , and having a basic first aid kit to help create a happy and safe camping trip.