Staying Safe On The Campsite

Following the tragic news of the death of a family of four on a Shropshire campsite only a few days ago, it's well worth taking just a minute or two of your time to take a look at a few camping safety tips, these come courtesy of The Camping and Caravanning Club and focus on the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide is produced when a fuel such as charcoal, gas or petrol burns incompletely. This could be because the appliance is faulty or it might happen as part of it's normal function. Barbeques for example still produce Carbon Monoxide even when working well.

Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas and is poisonous. Unfortunately in high concentrations it can kill swiftly. In smaller concentrations it can give similar symptoms to flu or food poisoning. Early signs of poisoning include nausea, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and drowsiness - but the best advice is to take no chances and avoid poisoning in the first place.

Safety Tips

#: Never take a barbeque into a tent, awning, caravan or motor home. A warm burning barbeque gives off lots of Carbon Monoxide, which can kill.

#: Never use a fuel burning appliance to heat your tent or awning. Gas and kerosene, unless they are permanently fitted in a caravan or motorhome, should only be used outside. Stoves and barbeques are designed for cooking not for space heating.

#: Never run a gas, petrol, or diesel powered generator inside a caravan, motorhome, tent or awning.

#: Don't cook inside your tent or awning, unless there's an area specifically designed for this purpose and your sure there is adequate ventilation. To work safely gas, meths and petrol stoves need more ventilation than your tent or awning is designed to provide and there's also the added risk of fire.

#: Don't use any other gas, charcoal or liquid fuel appliances inside a tent or awning. Gas powered fridges and lamps for example also need plenty of ventilation to prevent them from producing harmful gases.

#: Don't rely on a Carbon Monoxide detector to keep you safe in a tent or awning. They might be useful at home, in a caravan or motorhome, but they are not designed for conditions found in a tent or awning.

If in doubt, just don't take the risk!