Whether you’re a winter camper or a summer one, carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious danger in all recreational vehicles. The threat is greater in the winter when you use the furnace and portable heaters to keep warm, but you shouldn’t ignore the fact that an unmaintained RV and its equipment can be dangerous all year long. Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair can give your RV a safety inspection. In the meantime, keep reading to learn about the dangers of carbon monoxide in RVs and when camping.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is produced during combustion, whether the combustion of your RV’s engine or the combustion of a gas portable heater’s motor. This gas is invisible and odorless, which is why all gasoline products, including your RV, must have proper CO exiting ventilation. In the case of your RV, that ventilation comes in the form of the engine’s exhaust system. More people die from CO poisoning each year than any other gas. Erring on the side of caution can literally save your life.
Carbon Monoxide in RVs
Carbon monoxide can make its way into your RV via the exhaust system if there is a leak or other problem that does not carry the CO out of the tailpipes properly. Gas generators can also expel carbon monoxide inside your RV, which is why it is required to keep them outside and properly vented while they’re running. In some cases, your or another RV’s generator can push CO into your RV through open windows, so it’s crucial you always make sure to park away from generator exhaust.
Gas-powered heaters and stoves are another common cause of CO poisoning in RVs. The portable heaters should never be used inside the RV and neither should the portable stove. Existing gas appliances in the RV are not free from CO danger, either. Always make sure these appliances are maintained and working properly and don’t take chances with their venting. Check the vents always to ensure they’re clear before you head out on your next camping trip.
CO Poisoning Signs and Prevention
It’s important to pay attention to how you and others feel and behave while you’re camping because CO poisoning comes with symptoms that are easy to identify. They include
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Incoherence
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Twitching
- Vomiting
- Weakness
Get out of the RV at the first sign of trouble and call 9-1-1. One way to ensure CO never makes its way into your RV is to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the vehicle.
Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair in Eugene, OR, can inspect your RV for carbon monoxide threats.