‘Do research on potential sites and surroundings’

PETALING JAYA: Camping is fun, but it can be dangerous too.

From pitching tents in safe locations to paying close attention to your surroundings, safety always has to be the priority.

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Choosing a location is crucial in ensuring a good camping experience, says Syazwan Elias, 36, an avid outdoors person.

“We try to look for flat ground and not the lowest point to prevent water collecting where tents are pitched. Setting up camp near trees has its pros and cons too.

“Trees will provide shelter from the sun and rain, but things could fall down on you,” said the product manager who makes frequent camping trips to Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan.

It is also important to keep an eye on the weather, he said.

“By the seaside, the rain can come very quickly. You can see lightning in the distance and the next thing you know, it starts pouring. Strong winds are also not to be messed with,” he said.

Syazwan, who goes camping at least twice a month, said he was still undecided on whether to have any trip this month due to the current rainy weather.

“My last two trips saw heavy rain. If I do go, it will likely be in a small group of three,” he said, adding that he is looking to open his own site soon.

Fellow camper Dennis Oh, 39, said those looking to take up camping should invest in quality equipment, especially the fly sheet and tent.

“This will make sure no water gets into your tent or shelter,” said Oh, who has been a camper for over seven years. He also advised new campers to be familiar with how to set up tents.

“This is so you don’t spend two hours figuring out how to pitch it. It needs to be done in 20 minutes.

“If you’re camping by the river, make sure it’s on high ground as water can rise very quickly,” said the Internet marketer.

Another avid camper M. Faisal Sulaiman, 35, said it is important to research potential camping sites and surroundings.

“It’s better to have something and not need it rather than otherwise. Having a buddy with you will be great as well,” he said.