Camping has always been a very exciting get away for families and friends. Meticulous preparation however is required to ensure safety and real enjoyable experience. As all other camping gear, choosing and using camping heaters are important. Here are safety measures in buying and using your heaters.
First thing to do is to make research on brands, models and types of heaters are the most talked about. You can do your research online, reading magazines, asking experienced campers or friends who have safe camping experience with their heaters. If you have electricity source on the campsite, you may consider electric heaters. Otherwise, propane heaters are recommended especially for large tents. Both types are however used by most campers because they are literally flameless and thus eliminate the hassle and danger of building campfires. For small tents, you can use battery powered models.
It pays to invest on multipurpose heaters that you can also use for water heating. Choose the portable latest models as they can be used inside your tent for maximum heat and warmth. Your heater should have built in safety mechanisms like Oxygen Depletion Sensor and low oxygen automatic shut off system. Buy models that have designed for indoor use labels. For electric heaters, they should have temperature control, ambient temperature sensor and overheat protection device. Experienced campers use heaters that have ceramic honeycomb elements that are highly resistant to electricity that can allow heating up to 380 degrees F.
Always consider quality over price. Cheaper heaters may be budget friendly but you should not compromise your safety. Cheap camping heaters usually are manufactured below the standards and may lead your camping experience to a tragic one. It is not however recommended to buy models of skyrocketing price because this does not automatically guarantee high quality. Consider therefore those with trusted brand names at reasonable prices. Do not the buy the same brand that you have encountered problems with on previous camping. It pays to consider the guarantee period coverage. Reliable brands usually offer longer guarantee periods.
As all other newly bought equipment, make sure you read instruction manual carefully especially the safety precautions. Check your heaters before bringing them to the campsite. Check for leaks by smelling or applying soapy water around the connections especially for propane powered heaters. At the campsite, place your heaters inside the tent allowing adequate space away from things that have flammable materials like your clothes, paper, sleeping bags and anything made from plastic materials. Your heaters should be placed inside the camping tent at least six inches away from the side, one to four feet from the top and at least three feet in front.
Ensure that there is enough ventilation inside your tent. This is important when using propane heaters. Leave a window or vent open to allow air and moisture to circulate. Do not seal off every space to avoid suffocation and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Never leave the heater unattended. Be aware of any sign of carbon monoxide poisoning like nausea dizziness and confusion. In the event that you experience any of these signs, switch off the heater immediately, leave the tent and evacuate to open area. Lastly, do not use your camping heaters for cooking, as reading light, to toast your bread or to dry wet clothes.
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