The Camping Forum

[pogue]

In light of the recent and somewhat alarming cases of campers and holidaymakers around the UK suffering from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, caused by fumes emitted from barbeques lit inside their tents; I feel it necessary to highlight the importance of CO safety while on holiday.

In early July 2011 Hazel Woodhams was found dead while camping and is thought to have died of carbon monoxide poisoning¹ caused by using a charcoal barbeque in her tent. More recently, Vincent Clare of Milton Keynes was found dead in Ringwood through carbon monoxide poisoning also caused by using a barbeque in his tent²; and just this week, a family of five were rescued in Cornwall³ with carbon monoxide poisoning caused by having a lit barbeque inside their tent.

These tragic events go to prove how vulnerable and unaware people are to CO poisoning with the mindset of ‘it’ll never happen to me’ when taking a break in a caravan, motorhome or tent. The risks are in fact of very real and increasing concern and should be well-documented in the public domain. CO is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas which can only be detected by a CO alarm, which is why campaigning charity group the CO Angels, is urging people to pack a portable CO alarm wherever they travel this year.

It’s absolutely imperative that anyone going on holiday whether in the UK or abroad, to a hotel or campsite, thinks twice and packs a CO alarm – this simple action could save lives. These vital detectors are small, easy to pack and constantly monitor the environment, providing the early vital warning of carbon monoxide in the air before it reaches a life-threatening level. Hindsight is a valuable thing and I only wish I had known the risks of CO poisoning both in and out of the home when I lost my son Dominic to CO poisoning in 2006.

Most associate CO poisoning with faulty boilers or electrical appliances in the home, but these cases go to show how people need to be CO safe wherever they are, whether that’s in a tent, caravan or a hotel. The cold and wet summer we have had this year may have driven more holidaymakers to light their barbeques inside their tent in a bid to keep warm and stay dry – a dangerous practice which we would never recommend - but proof that having a portable CO alarm in these instances is vital.

The caravanning industry has already recognised the need for holidaymakers to be CO safe through a new regulation which will come into place this September. The regulation states that CO alarms compliant with BS EN 50291 will be required in new touring caravans and motorhomes from 1 September 2011, preferably with internal batteries for five years or more of operation.

Portable CO alarms are widely available from all major retailers, so we are urging people to visit http://www.co-angels.co.uk or http://www.fireangel.co.uk and protect themselves and their families against CO poisoning

ive been asked to put this in a more prominent place as it could be useful and save our lives one day

[The Rebel Camper]

Well done!!!

[badger]

A very informative and important post. ... It so easy for ppl that don't camp as a rule to not know the dangers.

[nutgone]

Very good, glad to see this is a sticky as well. Couldn't it also be an announcement for a while?

I was genuinely shocked when someone I spoke to didn't even realise charcoal barbecues give off carbon monoxide, they thought it was only gas appliances!

Really sorry to hear of your loss as well. Thank you very much for this message.

[pogue]

im really pleased folk on here have read this thread,its so important to us all.this thread as been duplicated here is the link folding-campers-caravan-and-campervans/topic3765.html

[rexgrant]

This is a post that could save lives
and as you say should be pinned
Regards
Rex.

[Wayne]

Pinned it is

If it only helps save one life, the whole forum has been worth it

[pogue]

[The Rebel Camper]

I too have expressed concerns about this subject... I occasionally place this subject on the forums news page.. I also send out mass Pms. These things happen, not out of stupidity, but out of ingnorance.

So I like to get this out to my members, whether they are experienced camper or newbies at it..

WheI organsise a meet or a rally... I EXPECT the gas in caravans to be turned off when bedding down.

May be due to me being a former H&S rep...lol

( and me posting this up has renewed the attention... )

[LittleSkink]

It is dreadful that people should be putting themselves at risk without even realising. Anything we can do to raise peoples awareness has to be worthwhile

There are a couple of articles on JoyofCanvas about CO, there is also a copy of the NHS guidance on CO poisoning -
http://sites.google.com/site/thejoyofca ... o-go-wrong

[camper fan]

i think in general, it's far better to allow a bit of fresh air in to the tent anyway, I know cold weather can be a pain but if you pack enough sleeping covers and have a decent sleeping bag you should be able to sleep with the zipper slightly up, I had a couple of instances where I've awoken in the morning with a headache from lack of oxygen. Breathing in your own fumes is not good, especially if there are two of you, I know ventilation at the top can help but I also now sleep with a small gap in the entrance. Good post anyway.

[Bucephalas69]

I know this thread is a little old now, but this sort of topic could always do with a bump!

When my now wife and I were courting (too many years ago to count), we would regularly go camping and use the leftover heat of the charcoal BBQ to warm the tent.
It wasn't until many years later that news reports of Chinese teenagers commiting suicide using this method came to light that I realised how lucky we were.

I now use a battery operated CO detector whenever we go camping now, especially as I have a gas operated heater.

[russells]

I think it's really important to promote the dangers of carbon monoxide and to share tips to avoid aweful tragedies that have sadly occured.

Everyone should carry a portable carbon monoxide detector by default!

[Donnelly69]

Sadly, the first of this season has just been on the North East news.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-17373320

[Gav]

Yeah, and this isn't someone In a tent. The hiring of camping pods it is more akin to providing static caravan hire, and so, I would of thought, had all the safety in place.
We were thing of giving one a try at some point. Having second thoughts now.