If you have a family tent that goes camping with your family
each year, you probably want it to last as long as possible.
Since it may be used just a few days in the summer, or perhaps a
few weeks at most, with proper care and storage your tent may
continue to be a source of fun and wilderness protection for
many years to come. But if the tent receives little or no
protective care, it can quickly disintegrate and stop providing
valued safety and coverage from the elements.
When setting up the tent, remember to follow the owner's manual
guidelines for erecting it the proper way. Carelessly placed
poles or improperly secured tent pegs will not only lead to
accidents and tent breakage, but this type of treatment also
will cause the equipment to break down more quickly. Handle and
place each piece correctly and carefully so it will continue to
do a faithful job, year after year. Don't let the kids or the
family dog toss around the pieces in play or otherwise use them
carelessly. Store unused pieces in their protective carton or
casing to keep them safe and available for the next time they
are needed.
While using your tent on a camping expedition, treat it
carefully. Don't place the portable cooking stove too close to
your tent. Zip or button flaps so they don't wave wildly in a
breeze and perhaps get broken, or become soggy or muddy during a
thunderstorm, especially if you will be away from the campsite
and unable to secure it if a storm blows in. Avoid letting kids
wrestle in or near the tent, and don't let them hang heavy items
on its sides or interior, which could snag or tear the canvas
walls. Also be careful about setting anything on top of the tent
that could cause it to sag or tear. Wipe up each stain promptly,
using the recommended materials that are indicated in the
owner's manual.
As your trip comes to a close and you take down your camping
tent, make time to correctly disengage each piece rather than
pull it down hastily and perhaps lose or break important
hardware. Fold the tent as indicated, making sure it is first
dry. Rub it clear of any rain or twig and leaf debris so that it
goes into storage clean. You can wait to give it a thorough
cleaning at home, if you prefer. Store the tent as suggested in
a cool, dry place. Try to keep it in an area that doesn't leak
or one that is unlikely to attract insects that could nest in
the canvas material or eat through it during the winter. Avoid
using pesticides or other chemicals on the tent or near it, as
the residue could later be toxic to kids and pets.
At home, don't lay heavy items on the tent that could cause it
to break. Then it will be ready when you are for the next
camping trip.
About Author :
Learn more about how to keep your tents in great shape by
visiting the Tent Spot at
http://www.tentspot.com
