Protect Yourself Against Caravan Fires

Caravan fires can be deadly. It is worth taking as many precautions as possible to protect yourself against caravan fires. Fire Services across the country report consistent numbers of caravan fires year on year. Per square foot there is a higher ratio of combustible material in a caravan than in any other dwelling, including a large amount of wood and gas cannisters. Additionally caravans do not have effective partitioning so that fire spreads very quickly once it has taken hold.

Common Causes of Fire

Cigarettes are the most common cause of fire in caravans. Hot ash, improperly extinguished cigarette ends and smokers falling asleep whilst cigarettes are still alight are all cited as the most common causes of caravan fires.

Unattended cooking is also a great risk in a compact space. If chip pans catch alight they can throw flames into the air, which can easily catch onto low ceilings and quickly destroy a caravan. Wires from electrical equipment, including kettles, can trail across hot hobs causing fire.

Electrical fires or mechanical failure of equipment can in some instances also be blamed for fires.

How to Protect Yourself Against Caravan Fires

• Install a smoke alarm. Change the battery every year. Check the battery and clean the smoke alarm before every trip.
• Check the seals and the hose connected to the gas cylinders. Have them checked over by a CORGI registered engineer is you are in any doubt.
• Clean the vents of the caravan.
• Ensure the windows open easily, so that they can be used as alternative excape routes.
• Make sure that there are two exits from every sleeping area in the caravan.
• Ensure that your caravan has a fire extinguisher that is not past its expiry date.
• Ensure that your caravan has a fire blanket, these are the only effective way of tacking a chip pan fire. A fire extinguisher will blow the burning oil all over your caravan.
• When you set up your caravan leave a 6m or 20ft gap in between your caravan and the next.
• Turn gas cylinders off when they are not in use, particularly at night and when you are out of the caravan.
• Make sure that clothes or upholstery are not near to any kind of heat source, as they can catch alight.

The Bottom Line

If there is a fire in your caravan evacuate it immediately. You may be able to tackle small fires with either a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket but if you are in doubt then you should leave it to the professionals.

You do not have to wait until there is a fire to contact the fire service. Your local fire brigade should be more than happy to give you advice about fire safety and in some instances they will come and do a practical fire safety check for you.