Another probable carbon monoxide death

[BorisJohnsonsHair]

Just seen this report.

How tragic - I can't believe it's happened again.

Please, please be careful when camping everyone. Even if it's freezing, don't put your stoves/bbqs etc inside, it's just not worth it.

was that what happened with the last one? i thought the bbq was outside? (hence why it was particularly terrifying).

That's so sad, especially when there have been similar cases several times before. I wonder if campsites could be encouraged to give out information about the dangers, that might save a few lives?

can anyone explain what's actually happening?

With the huge surge in the popularity of camping not everyone realises how dangerous BBQ's can be.

God bless them.

Yes, people are using combustible fuel heaters inside tents with SIGs, CO sinks to the bottom and when you are sleeping on an air mattress/sim it gets you!

If you need heat in your tent, get EHU or don't bloody go!

Carbon monoxide is given off by a substance that does not burn completely, charcoal is bad for this.

CO has no odour or taste but it has a much higher affinity for haemoglobin than oxygen does and it binds irreversibly

This case was about a disposable BBQ in the porch.

When any gas or solid fuel (wood/coal/charcoal) appliances aren't ventilated properly, carbon monoxide is omitted. There have been a number of cases of campers bringing in portable BBQs into their tents to keep warm. You can't smell or taste carbon monoxide and you can just slip into unconsciousness/coma.

I heard it on the news So shocked it's a disposable BBQ. Poor family it's so tragic.

Gas appliances also give off CO, so therefore your gas cooker and halogen heater will, anything with an open flame!

The same thing happened in the new forest this easter. There really does need to be a public awareness campaign.

Do you think people think that a tent is adequately ventilated because it's made of fabric? It's so very sad. I think a safety campaign really is needed. AND cabon monoxide alarms should be at the top of every ones packing list. I'm just off to look for one on Amazon!

I agree re safety campaign. Leaflet given out every time you book in at a campsite. "Welcome to Sunny Camping, you could die here" kind of thing. Well, maybe not, but I know DH would take no notice unless it was in his face.

He's determined that we'll put our Camping Gaz heater inside the tent. Last time, we used it in the porch under the table and it warmed our legs nicely. Big open space though on one side and closed door to tent (and DS) on other. Maybe even that's not safe

Useful to know that carbon monoxide sinks. I was planning to take a detector and hang it from the ceiling. That's no use is it then, needs to be on the floor?

I've just found this on the Which? website.
but would also think it needs to be lower and not on the ceiling?

I am so shocked every time I hear about this happening. I would never ever imagine bringing a barbeque into a tent would be a good idea, carbon monoxide aside, what happens if the barbeque gets knocked over or you trip over it in the middle of the night?

Okay I've just checked the Camping and Caravan Club website there is very useful advice on there. Mainly don't rely on a Co2 detector because they're not designed to work in tents.

i thought the point about hte other girl who died was that her parents had been cooking outside the tent but that the co had settled in it?

Aitch this one was where the person had brought bbq in, took it out but still died

That Camping & Caravanning link is good. In fact, i've decided to cut and paste it here

Safety Tips

Never take a barbecue into a tent, awning, caravan or motorhome. A warm, smouldering barbecue gives off plenty of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO), which can kill.

Never use a fuel-burning appliance to heat your tent or awning. Gas and kerosene heaters ? unless they are permanently fitted in a caravan or motorhome ? should only be used outside. Stoves and barbecues are designed for cooking not 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 you?re 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 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 producing poisonous carbon monoxide. Tents and awnings aren?t generally designed with this in mind.

Don?t rely on a carbon monoxide (CO) detector to keep you safe in a tent or awning. They may be useful at home, in a caravan or in a motorhome, but they are not designed for the conditions found in a tent or awning.

Always have gas appliances in your caravan or motorhome serviced regularly.

god it's just absolutely horrific.

So those camping gaz heaters are really a no no inside a tent.

Oh, I had no idea. I've camped for years (with stoves inside) & only ever worried about fire risk.

Terrible

now I'm wondering about those lovely teepee tents with woodburners

though they have flues (sp) don't they?

I also wondered about getting a stove for my bell tent, how are they safe to use?