Keeping to proper safety measures when using tent heaters will ensure that things do not take a disastrous turn on a chilly night. Sure, these devices are bought to make things better, but we have to be wary of the dangers they could cause.
What are Tent Heaters?
Tent heaters are machines that keep a tent warm on cold nights and in very chilly conditions. These devices are available in various shapes & sizes, ranging from lightweight to heavyweight. The availability of these gadgets for low prices has made winter survivability much easier. Now, you can camp or hunt in winter without worrying about keeping warm when you retire for the night.
If you have not had to wrap a dozen blankets around you on a winter night, I understand that the value of this device may be lost on you. Ask from a prepper close to you. Anyway, whichever you are, whether you have the experience or not, it is in your best interest to pack along a tent heater the next time you visit the wild, especially if it’s in December.
Like all devices, tent heaters come with manuals, although the instructions contained tend to differ according to manufacturers. The keynote, however, is that everyone wants to ensure safety. As such, there should be no fear about keeping to the set of instructions that come with your machine.
5 Very Important Safety Measures When Using Tent Heaters
As I previously mentioned, tent heaters may cause problems too. A tent heater brings the risk of fire (meaning that burns are common wounds) & carbon monoxide poisoning. This is expected, given that they are heat sources. They have to be properly set; else trouble may occur.
Here are essential safety tips to pay attention to to prevent grave accidents when using your tent heater.
Use the Safest Heater Available to You
With the need to decide on selecting the safest heater available, several considerations are raised, but none is as crucial as the fuel a heater operates with. Majorly, there are two classifications of tent heaters, which are gas- and electric-operated heaters.
Most times, these two are the safest options when hitting the wild in winter, and we’ll surely discuss more of them as we continue in this article. But to make the eventual decision now, the electric-based tent heater is much safer than the gas-operated one.
This does not mean that electric heaters are the best, as they are not very powerful in terms of heat & output capabilities. Nonetheless, they are much safer compared to gas-based heaters. An electric heater does not need combustion, does not release carbon monoxide & will not prowl for the oxygen available in the tent. Still, it can lead to a fire accident, which we will address in the next point.
Remove any Combustibles (Flammables) Close To Your Tent Heater
Combustibles are items that catch fire very easily. Ordinarily, leaving an object beside a functioning tent heater is unadvisable, much more if the object is highly flammable & may cause your tent to go up in flames before you know it. Therefore, regardless of the fuel on which your tent heater runs (gas or electric), ensure that it is distant enough from combustibles, including everyday items like wood, paper & personal clothing.
If you’re using your heater within the tent, it should be set up where it is most unlikely to cause combustion. Do well to keep the device away from the walls of your tent.
Foster Adequate Ventilation In Your Tent
As you may have deduced, an electric tent heater does not need a lot of ventilation, but a gas heater is apparently a different issue altogether.
A fuel type that has to combust before producing heat can only work in the presence of 3 things: oxygen, fuel & ignition. The combustion of these three will lead to the production of carbon dioxide & carbon monoxide, and the latter is very much unhealthy to breathe in.
Thus, ensuring proper ventilation will do you much good. Avoid use by a gas-fueled heater in a choked up tent. The consequences can be fatal. Ventilation also depends on the type of tent heater that you’re using. You can see specs before buying to settle for something good.
Do not Leave the Heater on While Going to Bed
Unarguably, the most critical safety advice to keep to when using tent heaters is this: never fall asleep while they are still in use.
Sure, I understand that there’s always a strong temptation to do so, considering the warmth provided in such cold temps. Yet, you should never do so. The risks far outweigh the benefits. Also, it does not take long for a food tent heater to heat the whole tent & keep you warm until morning. That is, you only need to put on your tent heater for a while before it heats the whole enclosed space.
In Case of a Fire
There are five major classifications of fire that could be caused: A, B, C (E), D & F (K). Each of these classes is to identify the fuel used by the heater that caused the fire, as this knowledge is essential to know the ideal extinguisher to use for putting the fire out.
There are two most common classifications of fire that could occur with the use of tent heaters. They are Class B & C (or E in Australia). A fire classed B is fueled by gasoline, alcohol, or oil, and I hope you know I don’t mean the oils that we cook in. Class C refers to fires caused by electrical devices. Obviously, both classes refer to gas- & electric-powered heaters.
When these two classes of fire occur, it is forbidden to use water for extinguishing. Rather, use foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide extinguishers.
Concluding The Safety Measures When Using Tent Heaters
Tent heaters are undeniably relevant to camping, especially during the winter months. Nothing beats the warmth & comfort they bring at nighttime. However, they are potentially dangerous, too, so strict adherence to proper safety measures when using tent heaters is highly advisable. Apparently, it is in your best interest.