A worrying number of festival goers aren’t aware of the risks of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning while camping at festivals, a safety campaign is warning.
#TunesnotFumes, a joint initiative by National Grid PLC, Northern Gas Networks, SGN and Wales & West Utilities, will raise the profile online about risks of poisoning through the use of BBQs, stoves and heaters at festival campsites.
The research highlights that festival goers are putting themselves at risk of carbon monoxide - a dangerous colourless, odourless gas which killed 40 people last year in England and Wales and caused approximately 4,000 to be admitted to hospital.*
In an online poll, over one in three (37%) said they’d use a gas cooker inside a tent; a fifth (19%) said they would use a cooking appliance to warm up a tent if it was cold; one in seven (15%) said they’d bring a BBQ inside a tent to finish off the cooking if it was raining**.
Barry Sheerman MP, co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group is supporting the campaign. He said: “We found it worrying to see that this isn’t about young people ignoring the dangers and choosing to take risks. Instead they simply aren’t aware of the dangers.”
You can play iFEST, the free online game at gdngames.co.uk, as well as search through tips and learn about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to stay safe.
Every week the campaign is giving away festival survival kits including ponchos, glow sticks and ear plugs as well as CO alarms to use in tents.
It’s quick and easy to show your support and will go a long way to helping us raise awareness of this silent killer. Follow the campaign at, @iFest15 on Twitter and iFEST15 on Facebook and share the campaign with all your contacts using the campaign hashtag #TunesNotFumes
There are a range of marketing materials available, including posters, videos, animations and imagery to help you support iFEST. To find out more or request your supporters pack email: tunesnotfumes@energynetworks.org