Travel Safety tips when backpacking, camping or roadtripping
It is important as a fulltime travel family, that our No.1 motto is safety first. Here we list the top 10 camping and travel safety tips.
In all situations, with no exceptions. Ever. If in doubt, don’t.
The reason for this is simple. Often, you are so far from emergency services, or hospitals and in the event safety is not taken seriously, it can have very serious consequences.
That is, if they even speak the same language when you get there, which adds a whole other level altogether, when your outside of your home country.
We are discussing here, our Top 10 camping and travel safety tips. Ways to improve safety, prepare your family and ensure they understand the importance of safety when you travel.
Within this post there may be affiliate links, basically you get a link to the actual product we are talking about.
Yes we may get some kind of benefit, which is at no extra cost to you, but it means you know the product we are talking about.
Do your research, buy what you feel comfortable with.
Keeping your kids safe
We were and still are, very honest with our girls, about potential dangers you can encounter when you travel.
It is not fear mongering, it is these open discussions, that provide guidance on what to do when they find themselves in a situation, they are unfamiliar with.
Always acknowledging when they handle a situation well, is important too. Telling them how proud we are of them that they made a good choice and put their safety first assists in open communication which is important.
We have code words they can use in general conversation, that alert us to a potential issue. This means we can then extract them, without alerting others and minimising personal risk. This can also be used by adults to alert each other of uneasy feeling or potential problem.
Teach them from an early age, not to go into other new friends caravans, tents, motorhomes when playing. Unless of course, you have met the parents/family and they have told you where they are.
Allowing them to be any distance away from you is always a risk, but you have to allow them to enjoy themselves too. One thing you can do is give them a whistle they can hang around their neck, in the event they need to attract attention it is a lot easier for them to get your and others attention. This is also helpful if out hiking, as if they get lost they can be more easily found.
Emergency situations
Knowing ways in and out of your own rig and discussing it with your kids is important, even for adults. Sounds simple enough.
If your in a van or motorhome, have you tried your emergency window, do your kids know where it is and how to use it if they need to get out in an emergency? Do you know how to use your emergency exits? This also applies when staying in an AirBNB or housesit, discuss exits.
Discuss evacuation procedures and the fact they are not to worry about their toys – safety first. Personal Safety is Number 1 at all times.
Before sightseeing or leaving home, take a photo of your children. Particularly if in a foreign country that you do not speak their language, valuable time can be lost trying to explain a missing child, identify what they are wearing and get a search under way. It also provides a quick way to share with others helping in the search. Every minute counts when it comes to a lost child.
Smells
What is that smell? – Let’s face it, normally it’s dad! LOL!! But seriously, get used to discussing smells as they happen, it could save a life. Things like burnt toast, gas when you haven’t lit the stove yet, a human hair on a candle, electrical burn, fuel.
Don’t make them on purpose, but if they happen discuss how you identified them and what to do – notify parents asap. Your team (family) are your biggest asset when protecting each other and your rig.
You will get used to using all of your 5 senses when you travel, you naturally become more alert too.
Fire safety
Obviously, age appropriate common sense applies here. First and foremost with kids, teach them how to get 
out of the rig or accommodation and where to stand. Teach them to alert other family members while doing so if possible.
If your kids are older, show them where the fire extinguisher and the fire blanket and other safety devices are and how to use them. Younger kids, show them where all the exits are and tell them to make as much noise as they can while getting out, to alert others.
It is a good idea to do a dry run, exiting in the dark too. All having to evacuate the van, in the middle of the night without a light. You may be surprised what they think they are not allowed to do/touch/leave without you. By running a drill and explaining their safety is THE most important thing, could save valuable minutes in an emergency.
PLB/EPIRB/Satellite phones
Hiking, prospecting, offroad four wheel driving, fishing or heading off on your lap of Australia, know your options for safety devices. Quite simply they could save your life.
PLB – Personal Locator Beacon which is registered with your rig and personal details. We have one and highly recommend that every travelling family should have one. They are small enough to take with you no matter what activity you are doing.
EPIRB – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon is used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency.
Satellite Phone – or satphone is a type of mobile phone that connects to other phones or the telephone network by radio through orbiting satellites instead of terrestrial cell sites, as cellphones do. The advantage of a satphone is that its use is not limited to areas covered by cell towers; it can be used in most or all geographic locations on the Earth’s surface. There are also sleeves you can add to your mobile phones, do your research and see if you are happy with this option.
Roadside Assistance
We have Ultra Care the top level of RAC in Western Australia. That level of roadside is available worldwide, be sure to do your research and select an option that suits your type of travel. For Europeans there is AA European breakdown Cover.
It is worth every cent if and when you need it. For under AUS$300 we have extra distance cover which we feel is important for our Hilux. Remember in Australia there is vast distances between main cities in particular if your doing the Nullarbor this could potentially save you thousands of dollars.
First Aid kit, of course, but what else?
Pretty obvious why this one is so important.
We have multiple first aid kits and natural remedies, including essential oils and homeopathic remedies. We have a hiking kit, 4WD kit and our main one in the Motorhome. Plus of course Paw Paw cream, Locals Sandfly & Mozzie Cream ect. You know what you use at home. Add non stick guaze pads available at all chemists, extra bandaids, eye cleaning cup and butterfly stitches.
But what else so you need for safety?
Another very important item to have in your kit if you travel in various parts of the world, is a snake bite kit. Teach your kids the importance of being immobile, how to attract attention and how to treat a snake bite, if they are old enough.
Your first aid kit is so personal to your family that is no use me listing everything in ours, you know what you use and as long as you have one that is the important part.
Other items to consider include survival glow sticks, swiss army knife, rechargeable high lumen torch.
Make sure you have the emergency App on all phones too, in case of emergency. Find that app and more Apps you need for travel in Australia here and Europe here.
Travel Bloggers / Families on the road
There are a growing number of families who enjoy blogging about their adventures while they travel. This is fantastic as it not only provides inspiration to others to get out there and give it a go, but provides updates to their family and friends missing them back home.
It is important however, when updating your blogs and social media accounts, to post after the fact where possible. Safety first as we have explained, try not to post your locations particularly those with children, in real time. It is not difficult to just run a few days behind of you travels.
Hydration / Water
Again pretty obvious but it is amazing when you are having fun, how easy it is to forget to keep your fluids up. Being avid hikers and roadtrippers we take every opportunity possible to discuss this with our girls.
In the event of an emergency, being hydrated could be the very difference between a
bad situation and a dire situation.
There are many ways to stay hydrated, we have a water filter installed in our motorhome. We have a lifestraw that we take hiking and camelbak backpacks that we take on long walks and running which you can get in different volumes.
Especially in more remote locations this can be life and death.
Contact Information (ICE) In case of Emergency
Give children a business card of where you are staying, put it in a zip up pocket or in the bottom of their shoe. In the event they become lost, they will be able to show it to someone how to get in contact with you or return them. This is also helpful if you have just arrived in a country and need to remember where your hotel is!
ID bracelets like on the left are fantastic, Road ID have a great one if you need health info added or more mature age child/adult, cheaper reusable chunkier for young kids or leather for older kids with engraving of mobile number so they can reach you.
The disposable ones you can mark with a laundry marker for one use only weigh nothing and can provide peace of mind (don’t forget to include country code if travelling overseas).
Sometimes social media is the only reception or text that will get through in bad reception areas.
Camping safety for kids
Discuss with kids old enough to message (they only need wifi and doesn’t cost anyone) to use social media private messaging as you will be alerted immediately, without the need to get back to your accommodation.
Maps.me App this is imperative no matter where you are you can pin point your location offline and be guided back when ready to return. If you have older kids who have mobiles this is a MUST HAVE App. For other must have Apps for Australia click here and Europe click here.
Mobile phones when you travel should have their home screens (visible when locked) with If found please call and a number that you have with you including international code. This makes it easier to return if lost, in the event someone honest finds your phone.
Safe travel overseas
There is no doubt when you travel overseas form your home country that the No.1 item you want to protect is your passport. (Other than yourself of course!)
Next would be your cash. It is amazing how lost we feel without access to money. I mean we need it for everything, food, accommodation, transport, you get the idea, it’s important. So how can you protect it?
Safe Passport Holder
We had one custom made in black leather so it goes around your neck, has a zip that goes across the top and down one side for easy access, especially multiple passports (family) and an inside pocket for safe keeping.
This is worn under a shirt and totally concealed for transport/travel/flight days.
A secure passport holder is very important. If it is not round your neck. If you want something a little more feminine, pale blue ladies wrist strap version make sure you have at least a wrist strap.
Money Belts for travel- that look like a normal belt
These are invaluable, pickpocketers are AMAZING, never underestimate their skill.
We have had leather ones made on our travels that have lasted us over 15 years! This makes it virtually impossible to take your money.
They are a fantastic idea and here is a link for a really affordable black one that goes with anything! Adult Belt click Here
Before you leave overseas
Always, without fail, take a colour copy of all cards in your wallet your taking with you FRONT and BACK. Email it to yourself and save in folder labeled ‘Travel’, not left in general email.
Take a colour copy of your passport and again, email it to yourself, store in above folder.
Lastly, scan in list of emergency phone numbers, family, friends, bank, travel insurance and where applicable policy documents and save to above folder in your email.
Irrespective of what is stolen or lost, you now have access to all the information you need to get assistance and replacement documents.
Set up a paypal account before you leave, if you don’t already have one to ensure all your account details are loaded and ready to go in the event of an emergency. This can be used to pay for any number of items in the event of an emergency.
What to do if travel documents stolen
This is a horrible feeling, irrespective of how it happens. One thing is for sure, it happens all the time. If you are pickpocketed, bag stolen or basically misplaced your money or credit cards don’t panic.
Report the cards stolen immediately. Find out where your local embassy is and arrange to get there. You will have to arrange a replacement passport urgently.
Notify your travel insurance straight away, some insurance policies have deadlines to be notified by. Nearly all of them, require a police report of the theft. Attend the local police station, as close to the location of the incident as possible.
Don’t worry if the report is in another language, you can have it translated at a later date and you can check the contents reflect the situation, using google!
What next?
There is plenty of accommodation through AirBNB, amazon for clothes/travel essentials with next day delivery that will allow you to pay by paypal or other online payment methods to get you out of trouble till you can sort it out.
If you are by yourself and not coping very well with the situation, reach out there are lots of travel groups on facebook that will totally understand what you are going through and may have someone nearby who can help you.
Our Life on the road series has loads more tip for camping and travel.
Comment here