| My wife and family lived in a beautiful rural area | | | | - Outdated propane fuel tanks. Because the |
| not far from a very picturesque river. From our | | | | fittings may corrode or spring leaks or rust |
| patio we could see the first of many excellent | | | | through, any tank over ten years of age must be |
| campsites with many happy families enjoying a | | | | traded for a new one. You may be able to talk a |
| weekend of fun in their trailers and tents. We just | | | | service station into refilling the old one but why |
| happened to comment on a very expensive truck | | | | take a chance. |
| camper that turned into the main driveway from | | | | - Propane gas is heavier than air. If you get a leak |
| the highway. Normally we would not have | | | | inside your RV the gas will settle down near the |
| mentioned it but the total cost of the rig with the | | | | floor. You might be standing up above the gas |
| modern matching graphics must have cost almost | | | | when you cause a spark and suddenly find |
| $100,000. in all. It really looked sharp from our | | | | yourself out side on your back. |
| vantage point. | | | | - Shut the gas off. It is amazing how many |
| They set up their rig on the first site in full view | | | | people use the stove in their RV, finish up, close |
| of our home. About five minutes later we heard a | | | | the door and drive off. A lot of turning, twisting |
| loud bang. The door of the camper had blown off, | | | | and vibrations occur while driving and this may |
| a person was blown mostly out of the door and | | | | loosen a fitting or two inside the RV. If you did |
| the camper was on fire. Fortunately the person | | | | not turn the propane tanks off at the hitch you |
| was not badly hurt except for bruises and a | | | | are possibly creating a bomb. |
| scrape where their arm had hit the door handle as | | | | - Excessive gas. This refers to the two burner |
| they were blown out. Their dream was a write | | | | stove that burns white gas or camp stove gas. |
| off as the camper and truck were totally | | | | These stoves are a little tricky to light. Once the |
| destroyed in the fire. | | | | tank is filled up with gas you pump it up with air. |
| Later we learned that the evening before their | | | | Turn up the valve, open the gas intake and light |
| main propane tank had gone empty. They had a | | | | the stove. Turn it down and lower the valve and |
| two burner propane stove as a back up. It was | | | | you are in business. A lot of people make the |
| connected to a small four pound propane tank. | | | | mistake of not paying attention and either they |
| They had it for many years. Earlier, before they | | | | fail to make sure the feed pipe is not all the way |
| had arrived at the campground they had stopped | | | | in or they are not ready with the match or lighter |
| for tea and used the two burner. As far as the | | | | and the stove floods. There is no explosion but all |
| insurance investigator could surmise, the hose | | | | of that gas suddenly goes whoosh. The stove |
| may have developed a tiny leak allowing propane | | | | and the table go up in flames. If you are lucky |
| gas to fill the camper. The owner had opened the | | | | you do not get burned. |
| door and walked in with a lit cigarette and boom. | | | | Practice these four pointers and you will enjoy |
| Do not let this happen to you. Here are four | | | | living another day. |
| danger points you must be aware of. | | | | |