Camping is a lot of fun until someone gets hurt. That’s why following basic safety rules is important for everyone. Don’t do activities that you’re not dressed appropriately for, aren’t physically fit enough for, and don’t have someone to teach you how to do.    The Type of Animals in the Area – It won’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the type of animals that you may deal with in the wild where you plan to go camping. If there are bears, snakes, and even scorpions, it’s good to know about them so that you stay safe, including how to spot them and what to do if you encounter these animals.    The Type of Terrain – Know what type of landscape you’re dealing with so that you can bring the right tools and clothing. For example, if you’re going to be camping on a mountain, wearing flipflops would not be ideal. Even sneakers could be a problem. Knowing what you can about the area will help you stay safe and avoid an accident.   Implementing a Buddy System – One way to keep your older kids safe is not to let them explore anything alone. Everyone should have a buddy to go to the bathroom with, go swimming with, and do other activities with. This is a good reason to consider allowing friends to tag along.   Dressing Appropriately – Again, know where you’re going and what you’re going to do so that you can bring the right type of clothing that will keep you safe. A snake-prone area is not the right place to wear sneakers and shorts.   Defense – For defense against wildlife, you take pepper spray as mentioned earlier, but you can also carry a stick when walking to help protect yourself from wild dogs or other creatures if you need to. Also, choose areas that aren’t known for criminal elements so that you know your family will be safe.   Staying safe while camping is about common sense. Understanding your environment, bringing the right tools and equipment and then staying aware at all times will keep you a lot safer than going in without a plan.