Car camping safety notes
How do I stay warm without a heater?
Insulate from below with the right pad R-value, use a bag rated about 10F under the expected low, wear a dry base layer and hat, and put a sealed bottle of hot water in the footbox. See how to stay warm car camping.
Should I carry a carbon monoxide detector?
Yes, a battery-powered one, especially if you sleep in the car or camp near other people running generators. Read the carbon monoxide safety guide.
Propane handling
- Store cylinders upright, outside the sleeping area, away from heat.
- Check connections with soapy water, never a flame.
- Let the stove cool before packing it.
- Transport cylinders with valves closed and caps on where supplied.
Food and wildlife
Follow the campground's food storage rules. In bear country that usually means a hard-sided vehicle or a provided locker, never food in the tent.
Heat and sleeping in a car
A closed car heats dangerously fast in sun. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, and ventilate when sleeping in one.
This page is general safety information, not professional or medical advice.
Researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures are published specifications or clearly labelled conventions; check your own gear's manual and your campground's rules.