Right, let's talk portable gas cookers. They're handy, but you've got to be smart about using them.

Safety First

• Ventilation is key. Never use them in a tent or enclosed space. Carbon monoxide is real.
• Check for leaks. Before you light up, make sure everything's tight. No hissing sounds.
• Stable surface. Put the cooker on a flat, solid surface. You don't want it tipping over.
• Keep flammables away. Tents, sleeping bags, dry grass. They all burn.

Real-World Example

Picture this: you're out at Anawhata, cooking up some dinner after a long day of tramping. You've set up your cooker inside the tent because it's windy. Bad move. A leak, a spark, and you've got a fire. Or, you're on a boat, cooking in the cabin. No ventilation, and you risk carbon monoxide poisoning.