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[[File:Zac_sleeping_in_Gent,_Belgium.jpg|thumb|300px|Zac sleeping under an umbrella]]
=== Fire ===
Use your disgression when starting a fire. Consider forest fire threats and that. If you don't want any unwanted attention, choose a quiet location off the beaten track for your site. Preferably near trees for kindling. Remember that any local people could report smoke they see to relevant authorities.
=== Water ===
While you may come across fresh, clear water many times on your travels, care must be taken to avoid becoming sick when drinking it. Microscopic bacteria is often found in fresh water stream and rivers, especially near civilization or agricultural areas (farms). Even slight contamination of a water source can leave you violently ill. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to treat suspected water:
=== Toilet ===
"How to sh*t in the woods" is both a comical look at some of the more awkward aspects of camping, as well as a useful resource for information. While using leaves or other local plant life can work, carrying a small amount of toilet paper may make for a happier experience. In general, dig a small pit, squat over it, do your business, toss in the paper when finished, and cover the hole back up. Try to make your pit at least 20cm deep (6 inches), as nobody wants to accidentally step in it. If no digging tool is handy or the soil is shallow, cover with leaves and put a big rock onto it - its an oldy but a goody! Oh, and a personal recommendation: don't make your bathroom near where you plan to sleep. This lesson is generally only learned once.
=== Agricultural Hijinx ===
Best to try and avoid fields with livestock in them. Mostly because they could trample your tent or the farmer could be checking on them and inadvertently see you. Also farmers don't take kindly to crops being bent over by people walking through them, and they can potentially track you this way! A lot of agricultural land is unused. And a lot of farmers wouldnt care if somebody was camping a night in a field theyre not using for anything. Obviously some nasty farmers would engage, if only for the power trip "You're trespassing on my private property" etc. in which case you reason with them or just move out of sight and pitch again.
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