Gas lanterns have always been a very popular accessory for campers and hikers. However, since you are burning fuel to produce light, they can also be quite dangerous. I would recommend following these tips if you are going to be using gas lanterns on your camping trips.
Not Recommended for Children Under the Ages of You-Get-the-Point
Like I said before, gas lanterns burn fuel to produce light. Because of the open flame, please don’t be stupid and let your 5 year old light it by himself or be around it unsupervised. If you have small children and like to go camping, I would definitely put the lantern where they cannot reach it or simply buy an electric or battery powered lantern. I know this seems like common sense, but you would be surprised at how many bad parents are out there.
They Are Called Outdoor Lanterns for a Reason
Most gas lanterns give off carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals when burned. Outside, they can safely disperse and there are no safety hazards. However, once you bring the lantern inside, the carbon monoxide can build up and kill you. Yes, it won’t harm you, but it will outright kill you if the conditions are right. This is especially dangerous at night because a sign that you have severe CO poisoning is drowsiness and an outright urge to sleep. Of course, at night, you could just perceive this as being tired and go to sleep, only to not wake up the next morning. Keep the outdoor lanterns outdoors and only used battery powered flashlights or lanterns inside.
THEY BURN
Another one that should be common sense, but I have heard too many dumb stories not to mention it. I feel like a broken record saying that they burn gas to produce light, but it doesn’t hurt to pound that into your brain. Because these lanterns burn, setting them up next to (or under) things such as your tent, trailer awning, or flammable things in general is a bad idea.
Bonus Tip
What?! There is a bonus tip? Sweet! Going back to the harmful gas emissions I mentioned earlier, it is not recommended that you use these lanterns to cook food. I know that, at 2AM after a couple six packs, you are really itching for a hot dog and you think cooking over the lantern would be a hilarious stunt to pull in front of your buddies, but just don’t do it. Bad things will get into your hot dog and you could get sick.
So, if you are considering purchasing an outdoor gas lantern for an outdoor adventure of some kind, just remember that guy who wrote an article about safety that you stumbled across while looking for a lantern to buy.
