Keep your family safe this Summer with tips from Worksafe.
Gas Safety when Camping
New Zealand has some wonderful camping spots throughout the country – but it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with these safety tips when camping outdoors this summer:
- Camping appliances are mostly designed for outside use.
- Never use outdoor gas appliances in enclosed spaces such as tents, annexes, caravans, and indoors and especially not anywhere where people sleep.
- Never use home-made appliances or connections.
- Check your appliance regularly or ask a licensed gasfitter to check it is in good working order.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ensure all gas connections are done up tightly.
- Regularly check gas connections for leaks using soapy water. Camping cookers need to be used correctly.
- Ensure the trivet is the right way up and don’t use over-sized cooking vessels.
- Do not use appliances if they don’t appear to be working correctly or are giving off a smell. If your appliance is malfunctioning – stop using it!
- Never throw empty canisters in the fire.
- Keep appliances in good condition. Give your flame room to burn – it should touch no more than the bottom of the pot.
Keep your family safe this Summer with tips from Worksafe.
Gas Safety in Caravans
Always ensure adequate ventilation when using your gas appliance, ensure ventilation openings are clear and if in doubt open a window or door. Gas appliances actually need a lot of fresh air to work properly!
Check gas appliances routinely. Get the gas installations on your caravan checked at least once a year by a licensed gas fitter.
While caravans are built for relaxation you still need to make sure gas appliances and installations are safe:
- Follow the health and safety instructions provided with your gas appliance, and operate only as intended by the manufacturer.
- Turn off your appliance if you begin to suffer a headache or feel sick while using it and have the appliance checked by a licensed gasfitter.
- Ensure heater flues and ventilation openings are not obstructed.
- If you smell gas, turn off the cylinder valve if it’s safe to do so, get people out of the area, turn off all appliances and ventilate your caravan. Don’t use any electrical devices, including switches and phones, until the air is clear.
- In the event of a fire, dial 111 for the fire service.
- Never use the gas cooker as a heater.