Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a log burner?

Camping during the colder winter months means that you’ll need a way to keep you and your family warm. For stylish glampers, a wood-burning stove is a brilliant option for cosy camping, but it’s important to be aware of the correct safety measures when using indoor tent stoves. 

Most people focus on fire hazards and fail to take the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO) into consideration when planning their camping trip with a fuel stove. In this blog, we’ll answer queries surrounding CO when camping and how to protect yourself from getting carbon monoxide poisoning from a log burner. 

Can you get CO poisoning from a log burner? 

The simple answer to this question is yes, you can get carbon monoxide poisoning from a log burner. The most common cause of CO poisoning when camping is improper installation of wood-burning stoves, poor ventilation and improperly burned fuels. 

What is carbon monoxide? 

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced when carbon-based fuels like oil, wood, coal and gas are improperly burned. CO is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it is highly poisonous and hard to detect without the proper equipment.  

There are more than 400 hospital admissions each year for carbon monoxide poisoning and 4000 A&E attendances, 40 of which result in death. 

Poorly maintained or poorly ventilated appliances such as cookers, heaters and boilers are the most common causes of accidental exposure to carbon monoxide. This includes bell tent wood-burning stoves and cooking stoves.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

There are several different symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning that can often be mistaken for other conditions. These symptoms include:

• Headaches (the most common symptom of mild carbon monoxide poisoning)

• Dizziness, nausea and vomiting

• Tiredness, confusion

• Stomach pain

• Shortness of breath 

• Difficulty breathing

The symptoms of exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning from log burners or other appliances can be similar to those of food poisoning and the flu. But unlike flu, carbon monoxide poisoning doesn’t cause a high temperature.

The symptoms can gradually get worse with prolonged exposure, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Your symptoms may be less severe when you’re away from the source of the carbon monoxide, which may be difficult in tents as stoves are typically installed in the same room where guests will be sleeping.

If you suspect there is a possibility of a leak, you should check any appliances you think may be faulty and leaking gas, and get in touch with 999 or go to the nearest A&E. The longer you inhale CO, the worse your symptoms will be. You may lose balance, vision and memory and even lose consciousness, so quick action is essential.

How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when camping 

Although the threat of CO poisoning can be scary, with the right precautions, you can prevent leaks when out enjoying the outdoors. 

Keep BBQs and open flames out of your tent

Never take a barbecue or any appliance with open flames and fuel into a tent, awning, caravan or motorhome. Even a cooling barbecue gives off large amounts of poisonous carbon monoxide, which can be fatal. Keep all BBQs outside of your tent and be sure to safely dispose of any used fuel, like burnt wood or coal. 

Due to the environmental disruption and pollution from portable BBQs and open fires, we’d always recommend using specially designed wood-burning stoves. 

Only use purpose-built stoves and hot tents

It’s crucial to ensure you only use wood burners and tents designed for indoor stove use. Gas, kerosene and other fuel heaters should never be used inside a tent. Instead, wood-burning stoves with a chimney should be used to draw any fumes and smoke outside and away from your tent.

In order to safely use a stove inside, your tent needs to be made from breathable fabric with ample ventilation. You also need a designated chimney hole that funnels smoke outside of your tent. Our bell tents are made from breathable canvas fabric and can be customised with a flashing kit that lets you add your own chimney hole. 

You can also purchase purpose-made hot tents that are specially designed for use alongside wood-burning stoves. These tents are made from thicker canvas to retain heat and have a pre-installed stove hole for quick setup. 

Use a carbon monoxide detector

Always use a carbon monoxide detector/ alarm if you plan to use a log burner or stove when camping. This will alert you to any levels of CO that are otherwise undetectable. 

Follow instructions and safety procedures

Ensure that you follow all the safety and installation instructions when setting up your bell tent and tent stoves. Any wood stoves must always be fitted in well-ventilated shelters and installed properly.  

Each one of our stoves comes with an instructional video so you can easily and safely install your log burners. 

Take a look at our video below to see how to install a flashing kit and wood-burning stove the right way!

Our top tips for safe stove use when camping

• Always make sure your flue is clean. 

• Burn fully dry, well-seasoned wood. This helps to prevent build-up in the flue, and will give you a better burn.

• Always ensure your tent is well-ventilated when using a wood-burning stove. Keep a door or tent window open and never go to sleep when your stove is lit.

• Do not use a stove if it appears faulty or has broken parts. 

It’s also important to stay aware of the signs of carbon monoxide leaks and poisoning. Some possible visual clues of a carbon monoxide leak include sooty or yellow/brown stains on or around stoves or fires. You might also notice smoke build-up, even with good ventilation or yellow flames rather than blue when the stove is lit.

Safe, comfortable camping with Boutique

A wood-burning stove opens up a world of possibilities for camping and lets outdoor enthusiasts enjoy winter camping when conditions would otherwise be too extreme. 

Whilst tent stoves offer a range of benefits, it’s important to always put safety first. Carbon monoxide is a serious danger and can have fatal effects if left untreated, so careful installation and equipment are essential.

Here at Boutique Camping, our experts are here to advise on the best products for camping safety and can also advise on how to correctly set up log burners to prevent CO leaks. Get in touch with our team today for more safety info, or browse our blog for helpful guides on a wide range of topics.