Don’t risk your life by taking a barbecue into your tent

“Don’t risk your life by taking a barbecue into your tent” is the “repeated” message from the charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness

The charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness launched a “national” campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from barbecues last year. The campaign launched in memory of 14-year-old  schoolgirl Hannah Thomas-Jones and others who lost their lives to carbon monoxide from barbecues or camping lamps was launched to help raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and the warning is being repeated due to Easter holidays later this week.

The campaign had the support of Chief Fire Officers Association. A number of major retailers pledged to put up point-of-sale notices in their stores for barbecue equipment last year and said they would add carbon monoxide warnings in 2013.

Lynn Griffiths, President of Carbon Monoxide Awareness, said: “Last year there were a number of camping fatalities and serious injuries resulting from people taking barbecue equipment inside their tents”.

"This year we have heard about another nine people being taken into hospital due to them taking barbecues into their homes. These products are designed solely for outdoor use and should not be used in enclosed spaces such as tents, caravans, campervans or home.

"Modern tents are designed as an integral structure with built-in groundsheets and carbon monoxide gases can rise to fatal levels in a matter of minutes if portable or disposable barbecues are used inside for heating purposes."

Carbon monoxide (CO) is difficult to detect because it is colourless and has no taste or smell. People often don’t realise that they are being overcome by fumes until it is too late.

“We are working with Fire and Rescue services across the UK to try and make the public more aware about the dangers of carbon monoxide. We shall continue to targeting camp/caravan site owners and their staff with information on how to recognise the presence of carbon monoxide in enclosed tented areas caravans along with organisers of music festivals. We’ve seen too much tragic loss of life and we want to avoid it in future.

Lynn went on to say: “I would like to once again like to make a plea to every MP to warn their constituents about the possible dangers of carbon monoxide in the home and when going away on holiday. We don’t want to see another death or injury from a barbecue during a music festival or family holidays. This charity will continue campaigning to have carbon monoxide advice prominently displayed on the packaging of barbecue’s and tents.”

Exposure to the gas reduces the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen, thereby causing the vital organs to fail. Early symptoms are similar to flu or food poisoning, but these worsen as more of the gas is breathed in and carbon monoxide concentrations in the blood increase. Anyone who suspects that they may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should turn off all appliances, go outside and seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.