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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

Staying in a Tent

  • 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

Staying in a Caravan

  • 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