Drone Safety Tips: How to Avoid Accidents and Hazards

Photographers, videographers, hobbyists, and commercial operators now rely on drones. Flying drones safely should always be the number one priority, whether using them to film at an incredible angle or survey a building site. Drone tech is becoming widely available, and safety instruction is becoming essential.

A handful of those incidents involve pilots operating drones in ways inconsistent with FAA guidance, resulting in a steady uptick in drone-related events of operation, pilot error, and lack of awareness when not following regulations, the FAA said. The tips within this guide will provide you with tried and proper methods to use a drone safely to avoid accidents and hazards when using a drone for recreational and commercial use.

1. Know the Rules: Be Aware of the FAA Regulations and Local Laws

Before flying your drone, you must understand the legal landscape. Under Part 107, the FAA sets rules for commercial pilots operating drones, and the Exception for Recreational Flyers governs US hobbyists.

Basic FAA Rules for Recreational Flyers

Keep your drone within visual line of sight.
Fly at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace.
Register your drone if it weighs over 0.55 pounds.
Never fly near other aircraft or emergency response efforts.
Complete the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).

For Commercial Use (Part 107 Certified Pilots)

You must pass the FAA Part 107 knowledge test.
Maintain a valid remote pilot certificate.
Log all flights and maintain operational records.
Obtain waivers for specific operations such as night flying or flying over people.

Bonus Tip: Always check for temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and no-fly zones using apps like B4UFLY or AirMap before takeoff.

2. Pre-Flight Checks: Prepare Before You Fly

Similar to pre-flight inspections that pilots do, drone pilots should have a checklist that they follow before every flight. After all, skipping that step makes you a potential victim of accidents or any equipment damage.

Your Pre-Flight Safety Checklist

Check the weather conditions (wind, rain, visibility).
Inspect your drone for damage or wear.
Ensure your batteries are fully charged (drone and controller).
Calibrate your compass and IMU (inertial measurement unit).
Format your SD card if recording video.
Update your firmware and app before you fly.
Review the flight plan and emergency landing zones.

Even a minor issue like a loose propeller can lead to a crash, so take this seriously every time.

3. Fly defensively: Keep VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) and Situational Awareness

Drifting away and losing your drone is one of the more common reasons for accidents. That’s the reason the FAA and drone experts stress visual line of sight (VLOS):

Key Flying Tips

Avoid distractions during flight and stay focused.
Don’t rely solely on FPV (first-person view); always know your drone’s location.
Maintain altitude awareness and avoid flying low near buildings, people, or trees.
Fly during daylight and in open areas to minimize risks.

Staying visually connected with your drone also helps if the GPS loses signal or you must perform an emergency manual landing.

4. Stay Away From People, Property, and Wildlife

The risk of flying close to people or property multiplies the consequences of legal liability or injury. Not only is it dangerous, but it may also be criminal in many states or municipalities.

Safety Tips Around Others

Never fly over crowds or stadiums.
Avoid private property unless you have permission.
Maintain a safe distance from animals (especially birds, which may view drones as threats).

Note: If you are flying for pictures, aerial photographs, or drone videos, obtain proper location releases and do not invade personal space. Telephoto lenses can help you remain distant while capturing close-up shots.

5. Be Mindful of Battery Life and Weather

Running out of battery mid-flight is one of the most preventable drone hazards. Most modern drones give a low-battery warning, but you must plan accordingly.

Battery Management

Avoid flying below 25% battery unless you’re close to landing.
In cold weather, batteries deplete faster except for shorter flight times.
Carry spare batteries in fire-safe pouches.
Land with at least 20% battery to allow room for unexpected delays.

Weather Awareness

Wind is the most significant weather threat. Don’t fly in gusts over 15-20 mph.
Moisture and electronics don’t mix. Postpone flights in fog, rain, or snow.
High temperatures can also affect battery and motor performance.

6. Follow the Proper Procedure for Return-to-Home (RTH) and GPS Features

Modern-day drones offer intelligent flight modes like Return-to-Home (RTH), which automatically pilot your drone to where it took off. These tools can be helpful, but they are not infallible.

RTH Safety Tips

Set your RTH altitude above the area's trees, poles, and buildings.
Stay aware of GPS signal strength; loss of GPS can cause RTH to fail.
Know how to cancel or override RTH in case of an emergency.

If your drone misbehaves, quick access to manual controls can differentiate between a safe landing and a crash.

7. Build Trust: Practice in Public Spaces

If you are a novice to drones or trying out a new model, get your practice in wide-open spaces, such as parks or fields (where allowed). These increase your risk, and you need to build a muscle memory of them for handling emergency maneuvers.

Training Suggestions

Learn how to fly manually without GPS or auto-hover.
Practice hovering, figure-8s, takeoffs, and landings.
Simulate emergency landings by flying with a 30% battery and returning early.

Once confident, you can move on to more complex environments and advanced drone videography techniques.

8. Keep Your Gear Updated and Maintained

Neglecting your equipment is one of the top causes of avoidable accidents. Routine maintenance extends the life of your drone and improves safety.

Maintenance Best Practices

Clean propellers and motors after every flight, especially in sandy or dusty areas.
Store your drone in a padded case and avoid extreme temperatures.
Replace propellers regularly, even if they’re only slightly chipped.
Update your drone’s firmware to fix bugs and add safety features.

This applies to commercial, racing, or aerial photography platforms.

9. Don’t Rely Solely on Automation

Innovative features like obstacle avoidance, GPS lock, and auto-hover are fantastic tools—but they’re not a replacement for pilot skill.

Even the most advanced drones can:

Misidentify obstacles (e.g., thin branches or power lines).
Fail to detect moving objects like birds or other drones.
Drop signal unexpectedly in urban or remote environments.

Drone tip: Always be prepared to switch to manual mode and take control if your drone begins drifting or stalling.

10. Prepare for Emergencies

What if your drone flies out of range, starts falling, or drifts suddenly? If you prepare, then you’ll respond quicker and more efficiently in the event of an emergency.

Emergency Preparation Tips

Learn how to activate the emergency motor stop (if your drone has one).
Create a list of safe landing zones before each flight.
Use propeller guards if flying indoors or around people.
Keep your FAA registration and remote pilot license (if commercial) with you during flights.

Recording your flights or having a second person as a visual observer is also recommended, especially for long-distance aerial photography missions.

Drone Safety Begins and Ends With The Pilot

Drone safety extends beyond not getting in an accident; it’s about respecting the environment, the laws, and others. So, whether you’re a hobbyist interested in drone videography or a commercial pilot performing inspections, know that flying responsibly will endorse your equipment for a long time and retain the community's trust.

Stay Safe, Stay in the Sky

From cinematic aerial shots to commercial drone applications, drone technology creates new possibilities daily. But with these opportunities comes responsibility. Follow these drone safety tips to protect your investment, yourself, and others.

Visit JAB Drone for more drone reviews, tutorials, and industry updates. Our blog also has gear guides, action camera tips, and resources to help you fly smarter and safer.

Fly smart. Fly safe. Fly JAB.