Camping can be a great chance to explore the outdoors and enjoy nature with your family and friends. Before you head out, keep these safety tips in mind to ensure everyone has a fun and memorable trip.

Choose the right site.

When booking your site at a campground, select a spot that meets your physical needs. Most campgrounds have specific campsites for tents and separate sites for RVs and travel trailers. If you have mobility issues, look at photos of the sites to check whether the ground is level.

Most campgrounds provide a fire ring and a picnic table for each campsite.

Stay hydrated and protect your skin.

Drink water even when you are not thirsty. If you feel thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated.

It is also important to protect your skin when outdoors. Pack insect repellent, and consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially when hiking.

To guard against skin damage from the sun, wear UV-protectant long-sleeved shirts and continuously apply sunscreen, even on cloudy days.

Prepare and store food safely.

Pack raw food separate from cooked meals. Don’t leave cold food sitting outside of the cooler or refrigerator for too long, especially on hot days.

Clean up after meals. Food left out on picnic tables and in unsecured trash cans can attract wildlife to your campsite. Do not touch or feed any wildlife that you encounter.

Pay attention to the weather.

The weather can change in the blink of an eye, so stay up to date on any potential storms or damaging winds that are headed your way. If a storm is approaching, shelter in a safe place. Most campgrounds have park offices or rec rooms that could provide adequate shelter.

Bike safely.

A campground is a great place for families to ride bikes and scooters. Always supervise kids when riding on campground roads. Make sure everyone wears a helmet and is aware of the rules when riding on the road.

With the increasing popularity of electric bikes and scooters, it is also important to abide by speed limit rules. Always watch for vehicles and pedestrians.

Consider fire safety.

Fires should be at least 15 feet from tent walls, shrubs and trees. Keep your fire contained within your fire pit, and never leave it unattended.

Keep a bucket of water by the fire, and put the fire out before leaving or going to sleep. Even if the fire doesn’t have red coals, douse it with water to make sure it doesn't reignite.

Make a list and check it twice.

When you are new to camping, it is easy to forget essential gear, such as a camp stove, folding chair or first aid kit. Make an extensive list of everything you might need, and check it a few times before you leave for your trip.