A WARNING has been issued to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning for anyone camping or glamping this summer.

With the festival season in full swing and the school summer holidays upon us, Hampshire County Council is raising awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning for campers.

Patricia Stallard, the council’s executive member for public health, said: “The golden rule is never to use barbecues or any cooking equipment inside tents, or take them into the tent after they have been used, even if it’s raining outside.

“Barbecues give off carbon monoxide gas, which is poisonous.

“It is not a problem in the open air because it is dispersed and concentrations are low, but it can be particularly dangerous in enclosed spaces. Camping is great fun, but we want people to be aware of the risks and to keep themselves safe.”

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste. It is heavier than air, so builds up at ground level, which is especially dangerous for people who sleep on or close to the ground – for example, when camping in a tent.

The human body can deal with a small level of carbon monoxide, but it takes a long time to clear, so repeated small exposures can accumulate.

Hampshire County Council has identified some top tips for camping and barbecue safety:

•Pitch your tent a safe distance from other tents, leave a few metres between yours and the next tent

•Ventilation is important - it refreshes the air that you’re breathing. Don’t block the vents

•Never use stoves or barbecues inside a tent. It is a serious fire risk and can be hazardous to anyone inside and in the surrounding area

•Keep children well away from barbecues, gas appliances and fires.

For more details, visit www.nhs.uk