Caravans & Camping

A fire can destroy a tent in less than 60 seconds, and on average 1,400 fires per year occur in caravans. Follow this advice for a safe caravan or camping holiday:

• Ensure caravans and tents are at least six metres apart and away from parked cars, to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
• Keep a torch handy for emergencies – never use lighted candles.
• Make sure you know the campsite’s fire safety arrangements and check where the nearest telephone is.

Staying in a tent

• Keep cooking appliances away from the tent walls as they could easily set alight.
• Never cook inside a small tent.
• Don’t cook near flammable materials or long grass.
• Make sure you know how to escape by cutting your way out of the tent if there is a fire.
• Ensure everyone knows how to put out clothing that’s on fire – stop, drop and roll.
• Don’t smoke inside your tent.

Staying in a caravan

• Fit and test a smoke alarm in your caravan – optical alarms are usually most effective.
• Take special care when cooking – don’t leave pans unattended.
• Turn off all appliances before you go out or go to bed.
• Use ashtrays made of a material that can’t burn – and never smoke in bed.
• Don’t dry clothes over the stove.
• Remove any litter and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
• Make sure the caravan is ventilated and never block air vents, to avoid a build up of poisonous gases.
• Consider keeping a fire extinguisher by the entrance, but always read the instructions before using it.

Using gas cylinders

• Don’t use petrol or paraffin to light a solid fuel stove.
• Keep flammable liquids (such as petrol and gas cylinders) outside and away from children.
• Only change gas cylinders when they’re completely empty and store them away from caravans and vehicles.
• Make sure the gas pipe connection is secure. If you suspect a leak, turn off the main cylinder valve.

What to do if there is a fire

• Keep calm and get everyone out as quickly as you can.
• Call the Fire & Rescue Service and give the exact location. Give a map reference if possible, or name a landmark such as a farm or pub.