When you need an extra heat boost in your RV during cold or chilly weather, a propane heater is a great idea. Just follow a few safety tips.

If you’re winter camping in your RV or an unexpected cold snap hits where you’re at, you want to stay warm. There’s nothing worse than living in a few hundred square feet and be miserably cold. While most RV’s furnaces do a good job of keeping cold temperatures at bay, sometimes you’ll want to supplement their heat or maybe just get some focused heat in a certain area. A propane heater can be a good solution.

Choosing a propane heater

Look, there are hundreds of propane heaters on the market. The Little Buddy is one favored by RVers, puts our 3,800 BTUs of heat and is intended for rooms up to 95 square feet. It’s a good option for a bedroom in your RV.

Mr. Heater makes other models that are appropriate for larger areas, such as the MH9BX model which gives out 4,000 to 9,000 BTU and heats up to 225 square feet. Mr. Heater’s Big Buddy propane heater gives out 4,000, 9,000, or 18,000 BTUs and heats up to 400 square feet.

Use a heater with a tip-over safety switch

First, make sure that the propane heater is specifically designed for indoor use. A low-oxygen sensor, thermostat, and automatic shut-off are critical, must-have features to look for.

Put the heater in a safe place

When setting up your heater, make sure its heating element is pointed away from the wall, furniture, or other flammable surfaces. Make sure pets and children will not be able to access the heater and keep it out of foot traffic in your RV. Make sure to not store extra propane cylinders near the heater when it is in use.

Open a window

Before using a propane heater, be sure that your RV has adequate ventilation. This is critical as all propane heaters exhaust some carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas that is quite poisonous. That’s doesn’t mean you can’t use propane heaters — just be sure that there’s a way to vent that gas out of your RV.

High levels of carbon monoxide can certainly be fatal. Even lower levels can cause problems for those with asthma, sensitivity to airborne allergens, or breathing problems. Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include flu-like symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, and nausea. If you’re feeling any of these or suspect the heater is not working properly, get some fresh air immediately and adjust your ventilation.

Get a carbon monoxide detector

All modern RVs come with these (and if it’s not hardwired into electric, check the batteries every three months), but if you’re using a propane heater, it’s a good idea to get a second one with a digital display like this one from First Alert.

Check for gas leaks
Whenever you connect your propane heater to its fuel supply, check the connections, hoses, and other fittings for damage or potential gas leaks. If you smell gas, apply soapy water to connections and look for bubbling, indicating a leak or seepage.

With some planning and care, a portable propane heater can add extra, occasional warmth to your RV interior. Just follow these precautions.