Texas propane safety push targets hunters, campers and RV travelers

The Propane Council of Texas is urging Texans to use propane safely as hunting season and cooler weather bring more people outdoors in 2026. The guidance covers refilling rules, leak checks, heater and generator placement, and carbon monoxide precautions for camps, RVs and outdoor cooking setups.

Why it matters: - Hunting season and cooler weather are sending more Texans to parks, ranches and campsites. - Propane powers common outdoor gear, including camp stoves, lanterns, heaters, fish cookers, grills, RVs and portable generators. - Safe use can reduce fire risk, carbon monoxide exposure and equipment failures in remote settings.

What happened: - The Propane Council of Texas shared a propane safety checklist for Texans using propane outdoors. - The guidance is aimed at campers, hunters, RV owners and outdoor cooks. - The council issued the advice on Nov. 5, 2026.

The details: - The council says Texans should never refill a 1-lb. single-use DOT-39 cylinder. - The council says those single-use canisters are non-refillable, and refilling them is dangerous and illegal. - Users should check for leaks by brushing soapy water on every connection. - Bubbles indicate a leak, and the user should call a propane supplier. - Equipment should be used only as the manufacturer directs. - Heaters should be used only if they are rated for tents or enclosed blinds. - Stoves, cookers and grills should sit on a level surface in an open area. - Equipment should be kept away from dry grass, brush and wood. - Portable heaters, stoves and lanterns should be turned off at night. - No one should sleep with a portable heater, stove or lantern burning. - Propane heaters marked for outdoor use only should never be used inside a tent, RV, camper or other enclosed space. - Generators should stay outside. - Generators should be placed 20 to 25 feet from tents, RVs, doors, windows and vents. - Fuel-burning equipment can produce carbon monoxide, an odorless gas. - Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath. - Anyone with those symptoms should leave the area and seek medical attention. - A portable travel CO detector is highly recommended. - Before packing a stove or cooker, users should disconnect it from the cylinder and let it cool. - Cylinders should be hauled upright and secured. - Cylinders should be kept out of temperatures above 120°F. - RV owners should schedule a preseason inspection with a qualified propane company or licensed RV repair facility. - More RV guidance is available at the propane council's RV safety page.

Between the lines: - The checklist emphasizes that many propane dangers in the outdoors come from misuse, not the fuel itself. - The focus on tents, RVs and generators reflects the biggest risk points where enclosed spaces and exhaust can turn routine camping gear into a safety hazard. - The carbon monoxide warning stands out because the gas is odorless and symptoms can mimic fatigue from outdoor activity.

What's next: - Texans heading into hunting season can use the checklist before trips and while setting up camp. - RV owners can use the preseason inspection guidance to catch issues before travel. - The council is directing people to its RV safety resource for more details.