Camping Advice: Carbon monoxide Awareness

RV Advice: Carbon monoxide Awareness

It’s that time of year again, when we fire up the furnace and bring out the portable heaters to help stay warm. Along with the furnace and portable heaters comes the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Produced by the partial combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, carbon monoxide gas is invisible, odorless, and deadly. It is extremely serious when combustion by-products are not vented outside; in fact, carbon monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths each year.

Let’s look at what we can do to prevent the danger of carbon monoxide in our RV.

CAUSES OF CARBON MONOXIDE GAS IN RVS

Exhaust leaks from a vehicle engine or a generator
Improper use of portable gas powered heaters
Someone else’s vehicle or generator when camping in close quarters
Malfunctioning or unvented LP gas appliances

If your RV doesn’t have a carbon monoxide detector you need to purchase a battery operated carbon monoxide detector designed for use in RVs. Test the carbon monoxide detector every time you use the RV, and replace the batteries when you change clocks for daylight savings time.

OTHER TIPS

Inspect the generator exhaust system before using the generator, every time
Avoid leaving windows down and roof vents open when in close proximity to vehicle and/or generator exhaust
Follow all directions and safety cautions and warnings when operating gas powered heaters
If you use a portable generator direct the exhaust away from the camping area
Never use the range burners or oven to heat the RV!
When cooking with the range burners use the range fan and always leave a window cracked open for fresh air and ventilation

RECOGNIZING CARBON MONOXIDE SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flu, but without fever. They include: