General tips (all tents) 

• It is always a good idea to practice putting tents up at home before going camping. This sensible tip will avoid any problems when you are away. Large dome tents do need practice. Some can be very difficult to erect for the first time. Practice of course does help hugely.
• Remove any sharp stones from the area you pitch your tent to avoid damage to groundsheet. Avoid pegging the pegging points and guy ropes too tightly to allow for strain e.g. Strong wind. Ensure zips are closed during erection. Hammer pegs into the ground at an angle for greater stability keeping the tension even on all sides. Dirt should only be removed by a soft brush and clear water. Do not use detergents, as this will effect waterproofing. 
• Treat zips with care. Zips are not guaranteed. 
• All tents must be stored dry otherwise mildew will grow on your tent and destroy your tent. Tents can be stored wet for no longer than 24 hours! 
• All tents especially those made from synthetic materials experience condensation. You must use the ventilation points provided. Do not confuse condensation with leaking. 
• Always peg all points and guy ropes to allow for changes in weather. Peg guy ropes close to tent to avoid people tripping and damaging your tent. Note synthetic material tends to expand at night so re peg before going to sleep.  
• N.B. WEATHERING: It should be noted that all-new new and used tents should be weathered before holiday use. The canvas requires a few soakings before it fully closes and the first time it rains a fine spray will probably come through, but it will soon stop. If you pitch tent in a period of drought do not resort to weathering it with a hosepipe. If a seam persists in leaking it can be proofed with a wax treatment, Fabsil or seam sealed. Always apply seam seal on the inside of the seam. 
• 1) Preparation:  It is a good idea to practice erecting your tent before you go on holiday that way you can check that all the components are there, and you will know that you’re not going to make a hash of it when you get on the camp site. O Meara Camping will show you how to erect a Frame or a Trailer tent when you first purchase from them.  Dome tents need to be erected at home prior to using.
• 2) CAMP SITING: If you want a comfortable holiday, try to find a flat level piece of ground to pitch your tent and check the ground for stones and sharp objects. Beware however of the grassiest spot in the campsite because this is often where all the water drains after rain and you could be on a very squelchy spot. Avoid pitching under trees that drip sap and do not pitch your tent while a bonfire is burning because the smoke can cause temporary damage to the canvas. Before erecting your tent it is a good idea to lay down some polythene to protect the underside of the inner tents and the ground sheets. 
• 3) PEGGING DOWN: When you are pegging down your tent drive in the pegs at an angle for maximum grip. Don’t overstretch rubber guy loops. Use a proper peg extractor or another peg to pull up pegs. Never tried to pull them out by pulling on the rubber guy loops. If your tent needs extra guying points attached our seamstress can do it for you. A tent with no external guying points can be guyed on the inside. O'Meara Camping have a range of different pegs in stock. Always carry a range. 
• 4) Be gentle with zips  If you want to stay warm and comfortable inside your tent, take care of your tent zips.  Never force them. Take the strain off by cross pegging at the base and keep them closed when they’re not in use. Peg out your tent with the zips closed. Metal zips can be waxed if they become too stiff to use, nylon ones do not need attention providing the teeth are kept clean. Always close zips before packing up your tent. Make sure there is not too much tension on zips and do not attempt to use them while they are under tension. Tension can be released by bringing the pegging points closer together either side of the zip. (Because of the general misuse of zips tent manufacturers will only guarantee zips for six months.) 
• 5) When it rains You can’t hope to be lucky with the weather all the time, so it is best to memorize a few simple hints about camping in the rain.  First, in wet weather, make sure that nothing chafes against the tent fabric as this may allow water to seep in.  Check to, that the inner tents are well clear of the sidewalls.  In rain or heavy dew the canvass will probably shrink a little, but this is simply the weave of the canvass closing to give maximum protection. If the tent is pegged under correct tension it will go back to its normal size, but if the tent is packed away wet, at the next stop the tent will be found to have remained in its shrunken state. Gradually increasing the tension on the pegging while the tent is up should bring it back to its proper size. Large dome tents may need to be re pegged in the rain and or at night time as the material tends to stretch and loosen in the rain. 
• 6) Dry weather: There are also dry weather hints that are worth remembering.  Like: cotton cloths can be weakened and faded by prolonged exposure to strong sunlight.  With normal holiday and week-end use, a tent will have many years of life, but if it is to be left standing for an extended period in a sunny climate, play safe and seek a shady site. 
• 7) Condensation. Tents, like houses, can have condensation problems.  Condensation can occur in all nylon tents, especially in humid conditions, and the synthetic roofs commonly found on frame tents are more prone to condensation than cotton roofs.  When condensation forms leave it on the roof and it will dry naturally. Do not try to remove it by slapping the roof.  This will just cause a shower and dampen everything in the tent.  Increasing the ventilation helps to reduce the incidence of condensation.  Condensation is most noticeable first thing in the morning. 
• 8) Fire Hazard When you are enjoying the novelty of living under canvas it is the easy to forget that fire precautions are even more important than when you are at home.  Mostly they are just plain commonsense.  Keep naked flames and gas appliances away from tent materials and never change gas supplies or re fuel paraffin stoves inside the tent.  Keep them well away from naked flames and don’t smoke. Don’t cook inside small tents and avoid oil splashes.  Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket handy. 
• 9) Striking Camp. Striking camp usually means going home, so there may be a temptation to pack your tent any old how and worry about later. Resist it.  Take note of these last four hints and your tent will reward you with many more happy holidays.  Try not to pack up the tent when it is wet.  Remove any mud or grass from the tent and roll it up towards the door to let the air escape.  If you have to pack the tent when it is wet it should be fully erected and pegged out under tension as soon as possible and allowed to dry thoroughly. Clean and dry ground sheets, poles and other items before packing them away. 
• 10) Dealing with Mildew. Mildew is a fungus which attacks cotton that has been stored in a wet or damp condition.  Eventually the cloth will rot completely if the mildew is not checked by drying out the cloth thoroughly, brushing carefully and re proofing areas as necessary.  A mild solution of Milton baby bottle cleaner will usually neutralize the mildew.  When rotting does occur the affected area should be cut out and replaced by a patch or a new panel. 
• 11) Tent Storage. Tents are best stored fully opened out in a dry well aired place.  If this is not possible, give the tent a good airing on a dry day at least once or twice during the winter. Always pack poles and pegs carefully to avoid damaging the canvas or groundsheet in transit. 
• 12 Tent Maintenance. Remove dirt and Stains either by brushing or by gentle washing with “Tent Clean” or a mild solution of “Fairy Liquid” or a similar product.  Never use detergents, and don’t scrub.  Rinse well and dry and re- proof only if necessary.  If tent fabrics start to leak or wear thin, seems or panels can be re- proofed with any proprietary spray, solution or wax.  Small holes and tears should be patched with eyelets checked and renewed if necessary.  It is a good tip to spray the curtains tapes, etc. attached to the walls of the tents with a spray re-proofer as many of these are supplied un proofed and tend to act like a wick.  Please check with us the correct treatment for particular materials.