By Joe Jeffrey
Gas champion issues warning on fatal effects of carbon monoxide
New research from CORGI HomePlan has revealed that millions of families are unknowingly taking risks with their lives, exposing themselves to carbon monoxide (CO) gas leaking from gas cookers, BBQs and heaters used inside their tent or caravan.
Findings from a survey conducted with 2,000 holidaymakers by CORGI HomePlan showed a worrying lack of understanding about the risk that campers and caravanners are taking, using appliances that emit the deadly fumes in confined areas. 45 per cent of people cook in their tent or awning, one in five have used a fuel-burning appliance to heat their tent, and a staggering 17 per cent of people have brought a charcoal or gas BBQ inside the tent.
Perhaps more worryingly, statistics showed that more than a quarter of those surveyed (28 per cent) believe carbon monoxide, which is created when fuel doesn’t burn properly, can be detected by its scent, despite being odorless. Furthermore almost one in ten of those questioned believed carbon monoxide can be detected through taste.
Early symptoms of CO poisoning can include headaches, fatigue and nausea before victims become unconscious, leading to long term brain damage and effectively suffocating the victim through oxygen deprivation. However of those surveyed, many couldn’t recognise the symptoms, with some expecting to experience blurred vision (30 per cent), a cough (22 per cent), streaming eyes (9 per cent) or stomach pains (6 per cent).
The roll call of recent tragedies involving carbon monoxide in holiday resorts makes horrific reading – something GORGI HomePlan looks to eradicate through educating the public on the effects of CO poisoning and what can be done to read to ensure safety at all times.
Although more than half of British homeowners now have a carbon monoxide detector in their home, just 13 per cent of Brits are applying the same safety rules when they head on holiday. As a result, CORGI HomePlan is now urging campers to make a carbon monoxide detector an essential component of their safety kit, along with a fire extinguisher, emergency lighting and first aid kit.
Mark Leslie, CEO of CORGI HomePlan, said of the company’s latest intiative: “People leave their worries at home when they go on holiday and are not applying the same safety rules as much as they would in everyday life.
“Our research has shown only 13 per cent of people have ever had their camping and caravanning gas appliances serviced, despite owning these items for more than four years, on average. This compares with 54 per cent of people who have their domestic gas appliances serviced annually. Even this number is low, however, as every gas appliance needs regular servicing to ensure it is operating safely.
Leslie continued: “Cooking appliances should only be used in well ventilated spaces and never taken indoors afterwards, even if they are cold to the touch. By packing a simple CO detector in your luggage and setting it up in your tent or holiday caravan, it leaves you free to enjoy a worry-free holiday.”
Recent research by the Gas Safety Trust also discovered more than a third of people who have been to festivals in the last two years would take a barbecue or gas stove into a tent after use.
CORGI HomePlan has subsequently provided some top tips for CO safety, to ensure you and yours remain safe over the coming months:
Don’t use a barbecue inside a tent, awning, caravan or motorhome. The smouldering coals of a barbecue release poisonous carbon monoxide (CO), which can kill
Never use a barbecue as a heater. Barbecues should be for outside use only
Remember – barbecues give off carbon monoxide during use, and may continue to do so for some while after use. Do not move a barbeque into a confined space until it is extinguished and has cooled down. NEVER use a lit or extinguished (but still warm) barbeque as a source of heating in a tent or awning
Don’t cook inside your tent or awning as there may be inadequate ventilation and there’s also the risk of fire
Always ensure there is adequate ventilation when using the caravan/motorhome cooker
Check there are no obstructions covering ventilators
Never use a gas, petrol or diesel-powered generator inside a caravan, motorhome, tent or awning
Don’t use any other fuel burning appliances inside a tent or awning such as a refrigerator, gas-powered heaters, lamps etc.
Ensure gas appliances are serviced and tested annually
