When you’re out camping, the last thing you want to worry about is your safety. But with a little preparation, you can rest easy knowing that you and your family are safe while enjoying nature.
In this blog post, we will discuss 12 security tips for camping in tents. Whether you’re a first-time camper or an experienced outdoorsman, these tips will help keep you safe while enjoying the great outdoors!
Table of Contents
12 Tent Security Tips You Need to Know to Stay Safe
1. Be Mindful of the Campground You Choose
When it comes to tent camping, safety starts with the campground that you choose. Whether you’re just looking for a place to pitch your tent or planning on spending some time at your campsite exploring nature and enjoying some quiet time away from civilization, there are many factors that can affect how safe it feels when staying in one of these parks.
Some important things to look for when choosing a campground include:
- The level of security: Is the park well patrolled? Are there security cameras or staff on duty overnight?
- The size and layout of the park: If it’s a large, open space with few trees or other natural barriers, this can make it more vulnerable to intruders.
- The proximity to civilization: If the park is close to a city or major highway, it’s more likely to be targeted by criminals.
- The type of clientele it attracts: Some parks cater to a more rough-and-tumble crowd, while others are family-friendly. You’ll want to choose one that feels comfortable for you and your family.
- The quality of amenities: If the bathrooms are clean, well-maintained, and provide hot showers or flush toilets, it’s a good sign that they care about their customers’ safety too.
- Camper reviews: Check out reviews from other campers to get an idea of their experiences at the park. The best way to find a safe campsite is by word-of-mouth, so ask for recommendations from friends who’ve been there before or just do some research online.
2. Store Your Valuables Out of Sight
To help discourage any theft, it’s best to store your valuables out of plain sight. At the very least, keep them in your tent. If possible, put them in your car and lock it. It’s better to put it in the trunk, and if you have to put your stuff in a visible area in the car, make sure to cover it with a blanket or tarp.
3. Get To Know Your Neighbours
One of the best ways to stay safe while camping is to get to know your neighbours. If you’re all camping in close proximity to each other, introduce yourself and share some basic information like where you’re from, what you do for a living, etc. This way, if something does happen during your stay, you’ll already have a friendly face to help you out.
If you’re camping in a more remote area, make sure to tell someone trustworthy back home where you’ll be and how long you’ll be gone. This way, if something does happen, they’ll know to contact the authorities.
4. Use a Tent Lock
When you’re not around, it’s a good idea to use a tent lock to keep your belongings safe. There are many different types of locks on the market, so find one that best suits your needs. You can also combine your lock with a cable to further deter thieves.
Even though someone could easily cut through the tent, this will still slow them down and might be enough to deter them from trying to steal your stuff. Your camping neighbours may also notice someone suspicious lurking around your tent and could call a ranger or someone in charge of the campsite.
5. Use a Solar Motion Sensor
Motion sensors are a common way to stay safe at home and can be used during your camping trip as well. In addition to being used at campsites, these are great for wilderness camping and can help to alert you if any animals are approaching your tent in the middle of the night.
Just make sure not to point them directly at your tent, as they might go off if you’re moving around while sleeping. Instead, aim them away from camp but still close enough that any movement within 50 feet will trigger an alarm sound or light (whichever is more appropriate for where it’s installed).
Solar motion sensors are also great if you’re camping in an area where there isn’t much light at night. They will charge during the day, so they’ll always be ready to work when it gets dark outside.
6. Attach Your Items to a Rock or Tree
If you’re not using a lock, you can also attach your items to a rock or tree. This will help to keep them from being stolen and is especially useful if you’re leaving your campsite for an extended period of time.
Just make sure that whatever you use is sturdy enough to hold the weight of your belongings and won’t easily fall off. You can use rope, cable, or even just tie them down with some paracord.
This is a good idea for things you want to leave outside, such as your cooler.
The downside of this method is that it can be difficult to access your belongings while they’re tied up, so keep that in mind when deciding what goes into the tent and what stays outside.
7. Bring Friends With You
Camping with other people can be a great way to stay safe while out in the wilderness or at your campsite. Having multiple people around means that there will always be someone awake and alert if something happens.
Larger groups are also less likely to be targeted by thieves, as there is more of a chance that someone will see them and report it.
If your group is large enough, try to have a few people stay by the campsite while others go out for excursions, to ensure that the spot is never left unattended. This will also allow for more people to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
Just be sure that everyone in your group is on the same page when it comes to safety. There’s nothing worse than someone getting lost or injured while out in the wilderness.
A group is also helpful in case there is an emergency. If someone gets hurt, it’s much easier to get help if there are other people around who can go for assistance.
8. Bring Your Dog With You
Bringing a dog with you on your camping trip can be a great way to stay safe. Dogs are very alert and will bark if they sense something is wrong. This could mean anything from an animal approaching the campsite, someone sneaking up behind them while walking through tall grass, or even just hearing another person talking nearby.
Dogs can also help to keep you warm at night, as they like to sleep next to their owners. This is especially helpful if the temperature drops unexpectedly or you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night.
Just make sure that your dog is well-behaved and doesn’t bark excessively, as this could be an annoyance to other campers.
If you’re worried about them running off into the woods, consider using a leash or keeping them on a long rope attached to something sturdy like your car, picnic table, or a nearby tree.
Dogs also make great companions for hikes/walks around campgrounds because they’re always ready to go and can help keep you company on those long trips through the woods.
If you’re bringing your dog with you, make sure that there are no restrictions at the campground before setting up camp – some parks do not allow pets in certain areas or even require them to be leashed while out exploring.
9. Use a BASU Alarm
A BASU alarm is a great way to secure your belongings while camping. These alarms use a motion sensor to detect if someone is trying to steal your items and will emit a loud noise, scaring the thief away.
They’re available in both solar and battery-powered versions, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
BASU alarms are also lightweight and easy to pack, so you can bring them with you on your trip.
Just be sure to test the alarm before leaving home to make sure it’s in working order – nothing is worse than having an alarm go off during the middle of the night when everyone is trying to sleep.
You will need to keep quiet hours in mind with this alarm as well. It may be better to use it in wild spaces where there are no neighbours nearby.
10. Be Aware of Emergency Procedures
Before you set out on your camping trip, make sure that everyone in your group is aware of emergency procedures. Have a plan for what to do if there’s an accident such as the tent flooding, ripping, or catching on fire from an ember from the pit.
This way, if something does happen, everyone will know what to do and how to help. And don’t forget to include information on where the first-aid kit is and who knows how to use it.
You can prepare for natural disasters by reading up on them beforehand. State and national parks offer pamphlets with information about common weather-related hazards, so make sure you’re aware of what could happen and how to respond if there’s a tornado or hurricane warning in effect.
You can also talk to a ranger or park employee for more information about potential threats and how to stay safe while camping in that area.
Pay attention to storm warnings, fire bans, and any other circumstances that may affect the safety of your trip. This will give you an idea of what you need to do if there’s an issue.
11. Place Your Tent in a Secure Location
When choosing a spot to set up your tent, be sure to take into account the security of the area. Try to find a spot that’s well-lit and has plenty of people around – this will deter thieves from targeting your belongings.
To keep your tent safe from the natural elements, place it in a high ground spot where it will be less likely to flood and also make sure that the stakes are secure so it doesn’t blow away in a storm.
Choose a tent that lends itself to good security. For example, if you’re using a pop-up tent, it might be easier for someone to steal or for a storm to collapse it since there are no poles to secure it in place.
A hammock tent may be a good option for those who want to sleep outside but don’t want to be accessible on the ground for safety reasons.
12. Bring a Flashlight With You at All Times
A flashlight is an indispensable part of any camping trip. It can help you find your way around in the dark and make it easier to pitch your tent at night or start a fire if needed.
There are several ways that a flashlight can make your camping trip safer and more secure. It can be used as an emergency signal device if you’re lost and need to get help from others, or you can use it if you think there is an intruder nearby. It also makes it much easier to see in the dark when walking around your campsite, keeping you safe from objects or holes in the ground you may trip or fall on.
Make sure that you have a flashlight with you at all times, so if there’s an emergency situation, such as someone getting hurt or lost and needing assistance, everyone can be easily seen. A headlamp is a great hands-free option that you can wear around your neck when you’re not using it so that it’s ready whenever you need it.
Final Thoughts
Safety is one of the most important factors when camping, and keeping your tent secure is a big part of that. It’s easy to forget something like this when you’re enjoying the outdoors, but it can be crucial in an emergency situation or if there are any other problems on the trip. If you take the time to prepare with these 12 tips, you’ll be much more likely to have a safe and enjoyable camping trip.
Looking for more tips ahead of your next trip? Bolster your outdoor knowledge further with our essential beginner info and how to guides.