Caravan and camping safety

Here is some safety advice for those looking to go camping or those staying in caravans.

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

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

Never use candles in or near a tent - torches are safer
Keep cooking appliances away from the tent as they could easily set it alight
Never cook inside a small tent
Don't cook near flammable materials or long grass, they can set alight easily
Make sure you know how to escape by cutting your way out of the tent if there is a fire
Make sure everyone knows how to put out clothing that's on fire - stop, drop and roll
Don't smoke inside tents

Fit and test a smoke alarm in your caravan - optical alarms are unusually most effective
Take special care when cooking - don't leave pans unattended
Turn off all appliances before you go out or to bed
Make sure ashtrays are made of material that cannot 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