Caravan and Boat fires

Stop serious caravan and boat fires from happening this summer

With spring quickly brightening into summer, it's the perfect time for boating trips and caravan holidays, so Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to remember to stay safe whilst having fun.

Nick Evans, Head of Prevention said: "It's just as important to have a working smoke alarm inside a boat and a caravan as it is to have one in your home. Caravan fires are always serious – confined spaces allow fires to spread rapidly causing lethal results.

"Fire can spread quickly on a boat, even on water and when boat fires do occur they often have devastating consequences, spreading easily and destroying surrounding property. The boats themselves are known to perish completely in a fire.

"If you're staying in a caravan, always make sure you know what the fire arrangements in your campsite are and where the nearest telephone is. Similarly, if you're on a boat, make sure you know your boat and make a fire action with everyone on board."

Fire Safety inside your Caravan

• If you smoke, use metal ashtrays – and never smoke in bed.
• Don't block air vents – if any leaking gas builds up you may fall unconscious and be unable to escape.
• Turn off all appliances before you leave the caravan or go to bed.
• Never use a cooker or heater whilst your caravan is moving.

If there's a Fire in your Caravan

• Get everyone out straight away.
• Call the fire and rescue service and give your location with a map reference, if possible, or provide a nearby landmark, like a farm.

Fire Safety in your Boat

• Optical sensor alarms with hush buttons and 'sealed for life' batteries are best for boats. Visit www.boatsafetyscheme.org/fire for advice and guidance.
• Fit alarms in places you will hear them clearly if they go off.
• Push the button on the alarm to test it regularly.

Use Gas Leak Indicators

• Fit a bubble type gas leak indicator in the LPG cylinder locker.
• Push the gas leak indicator test button routinely to check for leaks
• in the gas system.

What to do if there's a Fire in your Boat

• If in doubt, don't fight a fire yourself.
• Get out, stay out and call 999.
• Do not enter a smoke filled space. If you are already in a smoke filled space keep low down where the air is clearer.
• If you need to break glass to escape use a blanket to prevent injury.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.