| Many people just don't consider the risk of a | | | | - Do not leave children alone in kitchen when |
| caravan fire but whether you have a touring | | | | cooking |
| caravan or a static park home fire safety is | | | | - Always take extra care with hot oil |
| critically important. Caravans and motor homes, | | | | - Keep matches and saucepan handles out of |
| and indeed boats and horseboxes with living | | | | children's reach |
| accommodation, are often made from relatively | | | | - Make sure candles are in secure holders and |
| combustible materials and so pose a proportionally | | | | never leave them unattended |
| greater fire risk than almost any other type of | | | | - Make sure that cigarettes are stubbed out |
| dwelling. | | | | properly and disposed of carefully, NEVER smoke |
| The causes of caravan fires are similar to those | | | | in bed. |
| in the home but because caravans are smaller, | | | | - Do not overload electrical sockets |
| high in wood content and have fewer partitions, | | | | - Ensure that all upholstery is in good condition. |
| fire spreads at a devastating rate. Most modern | | | | - Fit a recommended smoke alarm and check the |
| caravans are fitted with fire retardant upholstery | | | | batteries at least once a year. Clean alarms after |
| and also with smoke alarms, but fires still happen. | | | | periods of storage as dirt may prevent the alarm |
| A burning cigarette in contact with a curtain could | | | | from working. |
| have a caravan well alight in minutes. | | | | - Have an escape plan for every occupied sleeping |
| As always with fire, smoke inhalation rather than | | | | area and make sure everyone knows about it. |
| the actual fire causes the most injuries. | | | | - Ensure that all windows and doors are easy to |
| Causes of caravan fires include: | | | | open and that nothing obscures these exit routes. |
| - Unattended cooking. | | | | - If possible turn gas cylinders off at night and if |
| - Chip pan fires are very dangerous because | | | | possible use electricity instead of gas to power |
| there is little distance between ceiling and hob. | | | | heaters. |
| - Smoking: falling asleep whilst smoking, dropping | | | | - Thoroughly check all gas appliances regularly for |
| ash or not extinguishing cigarette properly. | | | | faults and leaks. |
| - Electrical faults in appliances or their wiring. Size | | | | - Leave a gap of at least six metres between |
| constraints can cause problems ie flexes of | | | | caravans. |
| electrical appliances falling into gas flame of | | | | - Check out the fire procedures on sites. |
| cooker. | | | | Buying a smoke alarm could help save the lives of |
| - Upholstery eg cushions or curtains leaning against | | | | you and your family. |
| heaters.Prevention | | | | |