Ultimate guide to camping safety

If you're looking for ways to improve your camping safety, you've come to the right place. Getting out in nature is a great way to relax and connect with both ourselves and those who go with us, and traveling with your family can make for some excellent memory-making, but it's also unpredictable and isn't necessarily the safest thing to do if you're not prepared.

Keeping everyone safe while camping should always be a priority, and it will look different for each destination that you go to. Having said that, there are some basic camping safety tips that can suit all adventures and we've compiled them in this piece.

The most important thing you can do to improve camping safety is to plan ahead properly.

This camping safety tip has two meanings, the first, of course, is to understand how to get to your campsite. The second is to know the area you're going to be camping in.

Each destination will have its own dangers and you'll need to tailor your preparation to suit if you want to be as safe as possible. For example, some locations have more dangerous wildlife than others, so extra precautions may be necessary.

We strongly advise against going anywhere where there is only one way in or out. While it might not seem like that big of a deal, Australia is a land prone to bushfire, flash flooding and other events that can quickly make a road or trail too dangerous to use.

Because of this, you're going to want to ensure that you always have a backup escape route planned for if you need to get out quickly.

There's a good chance that your car is one of the last things that come to mind when considering camping safety, but it's an important tool that really shouldn't be underestimated.

Making sure that your car is running right before taking off on an adventure is a good way to help ensure that you'll get where you're going safely, and it also means you'll have a reliable vehicle easily accessible if you need to leave in a hurry.

Mother Nature really doesn't care that you want to go camping, so knowing the forecast before leaving will help you stay a whole lot safer and allow you to pack accordingly. And if it's forecast to absolutely bucket down? Might be best to just give it a miss.

Although we usually go camping to get away from the world, it's advisable to ensure that your destination has emergency coverage at the least.

You should also ensure that you have a way to charge your mobile and a backup device such as a satellite phone or radio so you can communicate if necessary.

Just because your tent was fine when you packed it away doesn't necessarily mean it will still be fine now. Always check that your tent is still water tight and in good condition before heading off on your adventure.

You'll also want to check any other equipment you're taking with you, especially if you're carrying items that could be dangerous such as a gas camping stove.

You should always let at least one person know where you'll be going, as well as any stops you'll be making along the way and when you're expecting to be back.

This is essentially the camping safety equivalent of texting your friends when you get home after a night out, and ensures that there's someone able to provide vital information if anything goes wrong.

Before you simply start to pitch your tent, check your surroundings first. You want to avoid being right under large trees, especially during storms, as big branches can crack off and fall down. You also don't want to be too close to a river, in case of flooding. Finally, make sure if you're on a slope, that your head is facing upwards, to avoid blood rushing to your head while you sleep.

Fire safety is so important when you're camping. Before you set off, check that there are no fire-ban days issued for the time you're camping, and only ever light a fire in a designated fire pit. many national parks don't allow you to light fires at all. And finally, never leave a fire unattended. Always put a fire out completely before going to bed or leaving the campsite.

Camping is usually seen as a no-fuss getaway, so your packing list probably isn't too strict.

While it's perfectly fine to take whatever you want or need for your planned activities, there are a few essentials that should be in your bag.

The Aussie sun is no joke and if you don't want to spend your trip feeling hot, itchy and sore courtesy of a sunburn, you need to pack enough sunscreen to be able to reapply as often as needed—especially if you're going fishing or doing other activities near the water.

Nobody wants to be swatting away mosquitoes and dealing with bites while they're trying to relax. Save yourself the trouble and pack some insect repellent so you can enjoy your evenings in peace.

It's not always going to be possible to make a campfire to cook your food, and even if it is, some things still require pots or pans. For this reason, we suggest taking a portable camping stove as well as anything else you're going to need to make whatever meals take your fancy.

You'll also want a tub, natural dishwashing liquid and a sponge to be able to clean up after meals, both for hygiene reasons and to avoid attracting bugs or wildlife.

You'd be surprised how many people forget to pack bedding because their brain registers that they've got their tent and that's enough.

If you want to get a good night's sleep, don't be one of those people. Better still, invest in a decent mattress. You'll wake up feeling refreshed, rather than sore and stiff.

Phones are notorious for going flat right when they're needed most. When camping, that's usually when you have to find your way to the toilet in the dark. Avoid running into this issue by bringing a good old-fashioned torch with you.

You'll also want to ensure that you have appropriate clothing and footwear for any activities you're planning on doing.

While it might be perfectly fine to hang out at your campsite in thongs and bathers, this outfit certainly won't do you any good if you want to go for a hike, so be sure to plan ahead.

Even if you don't intend on building a fire, a lighter and/or matches should still be on your packing list as you'd be surprised how useful these products can be when it comes to improving camping safety.

Last but not least, there are a few camping safety emergency items that we strongly recommend having with you on every trip.

Injuries happen, and when they do, it's important to be prepared to deal with them. A good first aid kit can quite literally be a lifesaver, so make sure you've got one with you. Additionally, having a specific snake-bite first aid kit is recommended when you're camping in Australia, especially in the warmer months.

If your phone or GPS equipment decides it doesn't want to navigate and you haven't got a map or compass, you're probably going to find yourself up the metaphorical creek without a paddle. Make sure you've got both a map and compass so you can use them if you need to.

If something happens that prevents you from being able to leave, you're going to need a way to communicate with the outside world.

Hopefully, you've followed our camping safety tip in the planning ahead section and have at least emergency coverage on your phone, however, it is still advisable to also have a radio just in case.

You'll probably have fishing and cooking knives with you anyway, but it's also advisable to have a sharp, sanitary knife in your pack in case you need it.

If you're in a really remote area, we also suggest packing a flare.

This is because rescue is most likely to come in the form of a helicopter or aircraft if you're too hard to find on foot, so a flare could literally save your life.

One of the perks of being out camping is that you're away from the hustle and bustle of every day life - and this often means you're out of phone reception. Having a satellite phone means you're still able to make contact with the outside world if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

Camping is one of the best ways to spend a weekend, and we're spoilt for choice in Australia for beautiful camping destinations.

However, if you're not adequately prepared, a dream holiday can soon become a nightmare. Follow these camping safety tips to help avoid any issues arising on your next trip.