Minecraft wiki entry for Best_biomes_for_homes, associated text: Consider making this your resource base.
Be wary of fires. It's far worse here than in every other biome except for the Nether (and maybe the jungle).
Sometimes getting on top of trees helps. Your visibility of the forest will increase and you will be able to travel faster. It also acts as a temporary shelter during the night if you are desperate; if you break the blocks you used to get up, usually, mobs cannot reach you.
Never let your guard down! As already stated, a dense enough forest can allow hostile mobs to spawn even in daytime, which can give the player a nasty surprise if they are not careful.
Make watchtowers and beacons (not the block) in your resource base, clear out all trees and light up the area around them. This helps you to locate the resource base easier, stop hostile mobs from spawning and stop the unwanted forest fire.