Partnership seeks to raise awareness of the threat and keep the area’s campers and festival goers safe.
The danger posed by carbon monoxide has been highlighted by firefighters and their colleagues from partner agencies working to protect Dumfries and Galloway this summer.
In April a family of four who had been camping in the area were rushed to hospital suffering from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning after an extinguished barbeque caused their tent to fill will the potentially deadly gas.
With music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts set to flock to the area over the coming months it is hoped increasing awareness of the threat will prevent tragedy striking.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews joined personnel from Dumfries and Galloway Council, gas provider SGN, event organsiers and local company Sign Craft to alert festival goers and campers to how they can avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Watch Manager Jason Gardiner, the SFRS community safety officer in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “Carbon monoxide is potentially fatal and even low-levels can cause lasting damage to your health.
“You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but carbon monoxide can kill quickly without warning.”
He added: “Lethal levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, so when people are using disposable or portable barbecues it’s crucial they follow some basic and potentially life-saving precautions.
“Never take a portable or disposable barbecue into an enclosed space, like a tent or caravan, for cooking or heating purposes – if you’re cooking in an enclosed space then use a gas light or stove instead.
“Don’t bring the barbecue inside the tent or caravan to cool down as it can still be active and give off carbon monoxide.
“Around 50 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning – in the past few years we’ve heard of tragic stories of the gas killing people in tents, caravans and even a family on a private boat.”
Heating and cooking appliances fuelled by coal, wood, oil and gas can all produce carbon monoxide and exposure could be fatal as the gas reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, causing vital organs to fail.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include tiredness, dizziness, chest pains and nausea, which can be mistaken for other conditions like food poisoning or flu.
Martin Taylor from Dumfries and Galloway Council Planning and Environmental Services said: “Over the last few years there has been an increase in the number of known cases of carbon monoxide poisoning within Dumfries and Galloway at festivals and other events.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and people are often unaware of the devastating effects it can have.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Dumfries and Galloway Council Environmental Health Service and Festival Organisers are working in partnership to inform the public about the dangers associated with the use of gas stoves and barbeques in confined spaces.
“Over the next few months, this partnership will be giving advice to members of the public at festivals and camp sites throughout the region to make them more aware of the potential life threatening effects carbon monoxide can have”.
Local company Sign Craft Signs Ltd (Dumfries) is supporting the partnership and have supplied two large banners that will be displayed at festivals over the summer season throughout Dumfries and Galloway.
Anyone who suspects that they may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately turn off all appliances, go outside and seek medical attention.
To avoid carbon monoxide tragedies people should follow the following simple rules:
NEVER cook inside a tent or enclosed camping spaces. If you need a sheltered cooking area, consider a gazebo or a tent porch with sufficient air circulation and ventilation.
NEVER use gas stoves/fuel burners to heat your tent when cold. All gas powered items need plenty of ventilation to prevent producing carbon monoxide. To stay warm, make sure you layer your clothing, and pick up a warmer sleeping bag.
NEVER operate petrol/diesel powered engines in confined/enclosed spaces. Carbon Monoxide alarms are available, but these are no excuse to ignore the above rules, do not leave the reliability of a device in charge of your health.
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