| As with any other equipment that generate heat, | | | | become, combustion by propane still produces trace |
| camping heaters must be used with care and caution. | | | | amounts of carbon monoxide (a byproduct). Avoid |
| One kind of camping heater - Propane heaters can | | | | carbon monoxide poisoning by ensuring proper |
| be a very safe device if used properly, and can be | | | | ventilation in your tent when using your heater. |
| one of your best friends during your camping trip | | | | Another important thing to remember is to never, |
| given the level of comfort it provides. | | | | under any circumstances leave the heater |
| Upon buying this type of camping heater, first and | | | | unattended or overnight while you sleep. Many |
| foremost, check if the heater has been tested and | | | | propane-based heaters are now equipped with |
| given a seal of approval by a recognized organization | | | | oxygen depletion sensors (ODS) which detects when |
| agency. This ensures that the equipment is following | | | | oxygen levels in a space are beginning to decline, and |
| the standards for safe propane-reliant products. Make | | | | such heaters are the best ones to use. |
| sure to read carefully the instruction manual and | | | | If you begin experiencing any signs of carbon |
| safety precautions that comes along with your | | | | monoxide poisoning, the heater must be switched off |
| heater, and use it accordingly. | | | | as soon as possible and people inside the tent must |
| It is also wise to check your heater before you bring | | | | be evacuated to an open space. Signs of carbon |
| it to the campsite or before use. A good inspection | | | | monoxide poisoning include (but are not limited to) |
| tip is to detect leaks by smell, as propane gas gives | | | | nausea, dizziness, and confusion. |
| off an odor akin to the smell of rotten eggs. | | | | You should only use the propane heater for the |
| Likewise, you can apply soapy water around the | | | | purpose that it is intended for which is to provide |
| connections - a bubbling around the space will indicate | | | | warmth inside your tent. This should not be used to |
| a leak. | | | | cook food (or toast bread!), as reading light or to dry |
| It is very important that adequate space is left | | | | wet clothes. When using camping heaters, it is best |
| around this camping heater when being used inside | | | | to err on the side of caution. Also, keep anything |
| the tent. Ideally, the space on the sides should be | | | | that might burn away from it. Keep a good distance |
| between 6 and 12 inches, the space above it | | | | between the heater and your clothes, sleeping bag, |
| somewhere between 1 and 4 feet, and the space in | | | | paper, plastic materials etc. Campers should also |
| front should be at least three feet. | | | | make it a practice to elevate the heater using |
| Likewise, adequate ventilation is a must when using | | | | anything stable such as your cooler to lessen the |
| propane heaters. Make sure that fresh air still has a | | | | chance of it being toppled over by being kicked. |
| way of getting inside your tent. The reason for this | | | | By putting safety first, you will be able to enjoy your |
| is that however safe such camping heaters have | | | | camping more through the peace of mind it brings. |