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Topic: Gas and fumes: danger in tents

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Sceptical Camper

13/3/2012 at 9:30am
Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
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As the camping season will soon be upon us, here is a timely reminder about the dangers of heating and cooking appliances inside tents.

Every year we hear of tragic accidents - some fatal - caused by the fumes of combustion. Last year, for example, there were several cases where unwary campers had taken charcoal barbecues into tents and been poisoned by the carbon monoxide given off by the burning fuel.

Already this year, there have been cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. The details of one such case are here. In this instance, an experienced hillwalker was found unconscious in his tent by a moutain rescue team. It is believed he was poisoned by the fumes either from a stove or a gas lamp.

There have been several posts recently here on UKCS asking about the safety of gas heaters in tents. Before using any heater (or cooking equipment) in a tent, it is important to ensure it is in good condition, functioning properly, approved for use in tents, and - most importantly - that the tent or porch or extension is fully ventilated.

The bottom line is if you are going to use a heater in your tent you should be extremely careful and ensure you understand how to use the appliance safely.

Charcoal barbecues should never be taken into a tent.

Please read the safety advice here and here.

Keep warm and eat well - but keep safe too.

Post last edited on 13/03/2012 19:38:20

dezzie

13/3/2012 at 9:53am
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Couldnt agree more Scep. Especially now with the sewn in groundsheet tent being the most popular on the market. Its too easy to forget that in keeping water out, the material can keep poisonous gases in.

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Bob61

13/3/2012 at 1:59pm
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Good advice...go EHU.

dragon5551

13/3/2012 at 5:31pm
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Scep a good point well made but i would be tempted to add this bottom line .... Dont Use Gas To Heat Your Tent.! use electric or another pair of socks and if you must cook inside make sure you vent during and after for at least twice the time you were cooking for.

robnchar

13/3/2012 at 6:25pm
Location: Notts Derbyshire
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Or just make sure your stove light etc works correctly and don't use for prolonged periods . Well ventilated does not have to mean out side or having the door wide open .

Post last edited on 13/03/2012 18:32:29

nick500

13/3/2012 at 6:28pm
Location: Kent
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Great advice. Being a novice camper I didn't realise that BBQ's could also be dangerous.Nothing gas is going in my tent.

Thanks for the post.

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morgz84

13/3/2012 at 6:47pm
Location: Near Drabingdon
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Quote: Originally posted by nick500 on 13/3/2012

Great advice. Being a novice camper I didn't realise that BBQ's could also be dangerous.Nothing gas is going in my tent.
Thanks for the post.

It's fine to operate gas appliances in your tent. Just know the signs of co poisoning and follow the precautions set out above. But your choice.

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Sceptical Camper

13/3/2012 at 7:40pm
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I have edited the original post to include links to some basic safety advice from the Camping Gas Directory here and from the Camping & Caravanning Club here.

Sceptical Camper

13/3/2012 at 7:45pm
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Quote: Originally posted by nick500 on 13/3/2012
... I didn't realise that BBQ's could also be dangerous...

In fact, they are more dangerous than a well-maintained catalytic gas heater because the fuel burns inefficiently and so produces more carbon monoxide. Last summer, there were reports here on UKCS of at least two separate incidents where people had taken disposable charcoal barbecues inside tents and died as a result.

armchaircamper

13/3/2012 at 8:31pm
Location: Aberdeenshire
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Good advice Scep. There have been too many stories over the past year or so about CO poisoning in tents.

I admit to having huddled over warm barbecue coals in the tent once, before someone on here mentioned the danger. Crazy really because I was super careful about ventilating the tent when using gas but didn't realise the danger from barbecues.

I've just sold a Blackcat propane heater as I couldn't see how it could be effective at heating a tent if the door was left open for ventilation. I did include a warning in the ad about ensuring adequate ventilation, just in case a buyer wasn't aware of the dangers.

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saxo1

13/3/2012 at 8:32pm
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"Just know the signs of co poisoning "

The problem with that is in the camping environment the only sign may be you don't wake up in the morning!

Saxo1

armchaircamper

13/3/2012 at 8:36pm
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Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 13/3/2012

"Just know the signs of co poisoning "

The problem with that is in the camping environment the only sign may be you don't wake up in the morning!

Saxo1

Pick up a CO detector next time you're in Tescos.

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saxo1

13/3/2012 at 10:47pm
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Or even safer don't use gas in a tent then you won't need one!

Saxo1

morgz84

13/3/2012 at 11:05pm
Location: Near Drabingdon
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Quote: Originally posted by armchaircamper on 13/3/2012

Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 13/3/2012
"Just know the signs of co poisoning "
The problem with that is in the camping environment the only sign may be you don't wake up in the morning!
Saxo1

Pick up a CO detector next time you're in Tescos.

Signs of co poisoning

Knowing the signs can be a life saver. And so can following Sceps advice as mentioned in my original post. I think a Co alarm is also a good idea .

Thankfully most of us are fitted with brains and don't leave non flued gas heaters on whilst we sleep.

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jez5005

13/3/2012 at 11:38pm
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went camping last year about 8 times or so. 2 adults 2 kids.in a quechua base seconds 4.2 tent.used a portable heater"small one with long gas canister" plus a Coleman Blackcat Propane Heater.used them we#hen needed..but always at nite when we were all asleep...as the other half allways cold

now,we wernt lucky...and we all were just fine in morning. no headaches or any signs of affects from using them.BUT? reading some of the storys around...some people wernt so lucky.i can only assume they were using diffrent kind of heating methods.and u should allways take a carbon monoxide detector with you just in case...to be extra safe! my heater are very small. but enough. this is only my opinion folks.

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quechua pop up tents rule!

Freebird

14/3/2012 at 2:20am
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Quote: "Just know the signs of co poisoning "
The problem with that is in the camping environment the only sign may be you don't wake up in the morning!

Saxo1

Pick up a CO detector next time you're in Tescos.

In all fairness; would you know where to place it in the tent? I've seen these fantastic multi detection units that can detect both CO as well as fumes from a -say- fire. Point is: One gas rises, the other is heavier than air. So: where to put such a fantastic multi detection unit...

Don't be stingy! Buy two and place the CO detection close to the ground. Combustive fumes are detected near the ceiling.

Buy a cotton or poly cotton tent and good and warm sleeping gear and you don't need heating and wake up safe instead of waking up dead.

Every year, these topics appear at the opening of camping season. One would expect it is general knowledge when using gas heaters or at least one is informed when buying one...

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