Beware of the Invisible 'Shadow of Death' During Winter Camping Season While Staring Blankly by the Wood Fire!

Physical Injuries 47.7% · Fire Accidents 25.6%

Deaths Also Occur Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

[Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The season for ‘bulmyeong’?staring blankly into a fire while tending to the wood?has arrived. With outings limited due to COVID-19, cozy camping is calling.

With a variety of car camping, camper vans, and tent equipment available, cold weather doesn’t stop camping enthusiasts. For camping maniacs, the season without flying insects is even better. They are already hooked on the fun of sitting by a campfire and enjoying bulmyeong.

As the number of winter campers increases, the risk of accidents occurring in temporary spaces that are completely different from daily life?where people eat, sleep, and play?also grows.

Most outdoor campsites, glamping sites, and auto camping sites are located in remote areas away from urban centers, making it difficult to receive help from medical institutions or fire services.

According to a 2020 announcement by the Korea Consumer Agency, among camping-related safety accidents reported to the Consumer Hazard Monitoring System, accidents caused by physical impacts such as slipping, falling, and bumping accounted for the highest proportion at 47.7%.

Following that, fire, burns, overheating, and gas-related accidents accounted for 25.6%, and accidents caused by wild animals such as snakes and hornets, as well as poisoning from toxic mushrooms and poisonous plants, were also confirmed.

Having extensive camping experience should not lead to complacency. It is essential to thoroughly understand the equipment such as tents and burners to prevent safety accidents.

When setting up a tent, wear gloves to avoid injuries from poles or hammers, and when dismantling, carefully check the surroundings to avoid getting hurt.

Avoid going near dangerous terrains such as slopes, rocks, or watersides, and be careful not to trip over the ropes installed to secure tents or tarps.

As dusk falls, ropes and terrain become hard to see, so use a flashlight or other lighting to check the area in front of you and under your feet.

While enjoying bulmyeong, be prepared for potential fires or burns that may occur near the fire.

Before enjoying bulmyeong, it is advisable to check the location of fire extinguishers in advance and sprinkle water on the surrounding ground.

After use, make sure to completely extinguish the fire with no remaining embers, and never fall asleep with a fireplace or stove on near or inside the tent.

Extra caution is needed when using cooking tools that involve fire, such as portable burners or torches. Using pots or frying pans larger than the burner can heat the butane gas canister, potentially causing an explosion, so it is recommended to use appropriately sized utensils.

In winter, heating devices are often used to protect the body from the cold, but using charcoal or gas heaters inside a sealed tent can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and death.

Exposure to carbon monoxide produced when gas or electric heaters burn reduces the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, causing symptoms ranging from mild headaches to nausea, vomiting, numbness in hands and feet, loss of consciousness, and difficulty breathing.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, making it difficult to detect exposure, and it spreads very quickly.

Various symptoms appear depending on the concentration in the air, and exposure for just 15 minutes in a confined space can be fatal.

If poisoning is suspected, ventilate immediately, move the patient outside to breathe fresh air, and seek help from the 119 emergency service to transport the patient to the nearest medical facility without delay.

Kim Miran, director of the Regional Emergency Medical Center at Daedong Hospital, said, “It is better to maintain body temperature with sleeping bags and hot packs rather than heating devices, and pay close attention to ventilation when using such devices.”

Director Kim pointed out, “It is difficult to predict what kind of dangerous situations may occur outdoors such as at campsites, and since medical facilities are mostly far away, even mild symptoms can develop into severe conditions, so extra caution is necessary.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.