The Tents Commandments!

Whether you are an occasional weekend camper or a seasoned camping enthusiast, you’ll always get the best from your tent if you follow some basic good practices. Whether your tent is brand new or used, these rules apply to everyone.

Here are ten things you can do for your tent: 

1. Always check your tent before each trip to ensure all the key components are there. We all know what it’s like packing up after a trip – items don’t always get put away in the right places, especially when packing up quickly. It’s always better to do a quick check before you go away than find an essential item is missing when you get there!
2. Practice pitch: Having a practice run at pitching your tent in the garden, or an open space close to home, is a good idea to do prior to your first trip of the season. If it’s a new tent, you can figure out the pitch at your leisure and if it’s been packed away for the winter, you can check everything is in good condition and deal with anything that needs attention. It also gives it a good air out.
3. Check waterproofing. Your tent may look okay when you first pitch it, but on a trip, you won’t know whether it’s still waterproof until it rains. When you do your practice pitch, do a water bead test (spray water, and if it beads and rolls off, it’s fine, but if it soaks in, it may not be) and a seam check. This gives you a chance to re-waterproof the tent or reseal the seams.
4. Always carry spare parts, Gaffa tape, and seam sealant. A grab bag with core items that can save the day is a good idea for all campers. Think of it as a tent first aid kit! 
5. Be prepared for the weather We campers can tolerate all kinds of weather, and often it all adds to the fun but only if you’re prepared for it. Check forecasts and be sure to have the correct equipment for the weather. 
6. Pitch before play: We all want the fun of camping to start as soon as possible, but pitch your tent first, and then you can enjoy yourself. 
7. Have a plan for severe weather. Safety comes first. In the event of a Met Office severe weather warning, seek alternate shelter. Remember, a tent is a temporary shelter and may not withstand severe conditions. It pays to know in advance where a safe place to shelter would be in case of an emergency. Designate one at the start of each trip on a new site.
8. Always pack your tent away dry, or re-pitch to dry out properly when home, to prevent mould spreading. It may seem like a pain when you’ve been away, but nobody wants to open their tent and find mould growing on their next trip. 
9. Do not leave any food inside the tent when packing away. Perishable substances left inside the tent will go mouldy quickly. A dustpan and brush are good bits of kit for a camper to ensure even the crumbs are cleared away. Those with young children often fall foul of this one.
10. Always store your tent in a clean, dry location. How you store your tent is just as important a measure of how you care for it as anything you do while using it. If you store it in a garage, shed, or cellar, make sure it’s truly watertight.

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