| If you're planning on using your static caravan in | | | | store them outside away from anything |
| the winter months, read on for our top tips for | | | | flammable. Never let fireworks off in close |
| preventing a fire in your holiday home. | | | | proximity to your static caravan or any other |
| - Store your gas bottles away from the caravan | | | | neighbouring holiday home. |
| and, if possible, wait until your current gas bottle is | | | | - As Christmas fast approaches, it's inevitable that |
| completely empty before changing it. | | | | the odd Christmas decoration will find its way into |
| - Keeping all air vents clear will ensure that no gas | | | | your static caravan. Just remember not to go |
| can build up inside the holiday home should there | | | | overboard and keep your escape route clear. Also |
| be a leak in the system. If you suspect a gas | | | | ensure decorations are hung well away from any |
| leak, open all windows and doors and contact | | | | appliances or heat sources to avoid the risk of |
| your Park Manager immediately. | | | | them catching fire. |
| - Before retiring to bed on an evening, ensure you | | | | - Fairy lights can make a festive addition to your |
| have switched off all gas and electric appliances | | | | holiday home, but make sure they don't add to |
| and nothing is left on standby. Make this part of | | | | the fire risk by switching them off and unplugging |
| your routine like locking the door and drawing the | | | | them before you go to bed or before you leave |
| curtains. | | | | your static caravan unattended - especially if |
| - Fitting a smoke alarm in your static caravan is a | | | | you’re leaving your caravan and returning |
| must. The alarm will alert you as soon as any | | | | home for Christmas. |
| smoke is detected, meaning you have time to | | | | - If you're partial to a cigarette or cigar in your |
| evacuate the holiday home before the fire takes | | | | holiday home, ensure you have an appropriate |
| hold. Make sure your smoke alarm is working by | | | | ashtray in which to extinguish it when you've |
| checking the batteries on a regular basis. It's also | | | | finished. Even better - smoke outside and away |
| worth checking what type of battery your | | | | from the caravan to minimise the risk of fire. |
| smoke alarm uses and keeping a spare one in | | | | Fortunately fires in static caravans are rare but |
| your caravan should you need one. | | | | when they do occur they usually cause major |
| - Make sure you are familiar with your park's fire | | | | damage. One specialist insurance broker suggests |
| safety procedures and you know where any | | | | claim cost for fire during 2007 was, on average, |
| assembly points are located as well as how to | | | | over £5000. |
| raise the alarm. | | | | As the colder months approach, the use of gas |
| - If you're planning a fireworks display around | | | | and electrical heating systems can put us more at |
| bonfire night, don't forget all the safety advice | | | | risk of a fire in our static caravans, but taking |
| issued in the media - for example, never return to | | | | some simple steps to prevent a fire can put your |
| a lit firework. Also ensure you store your | | | | mind at ease and leave you to enjoy your time in |
| fireworks away from any gas appliances or heat | | | | your holiday home. |
| sources in your static caravan, or even better, | | | | |