Caravans and boats
If you live in a caravan, trailer or boat, or use one for leisure purposes, remember to follow all the relevant home safety advice on this website, including fitting smoke alarms. There are also some specific things you can do to protect yourself and your property.
Caravans
- Make sure caravans are kept at least six metres apart, making it more difficult for a fire to spread.
- Find out about firefighting arrangements on the campsite or caravan park and also where the nearest telephone is.
- Keep a torch handy for emergencies – don’t use a candle.
- Make sure you know where the fire extinguishers or fire hose reels are on the site along with the location of the fire alarm. If any alarm is vandalised or damaged make sure you report it to the site manager immediately.
- Keep the caravan ventilated and don’t block up air vents.
- Keep a dry powder fire extinguisher near the main door – it will tackle most small fires.
Gas canisters / cylinders
- Keep gas cylinders outside your caravan.
- Before going to bed or leaving the caravan, turn off all appliances.
- Turn off gas cylinders unless appliances (such as the fridge) are designed to run continuously.
- Never use a cooker or heater while a camper or caravan is moving.
- Change gas bottles only when completely empty.
- If you suspect a leak, turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve. Open all doors and windows, do not smoke and do not operate electrical switches. Speak to the warden or site manager and seek specialist advice.
- Always ensure gas cylinders have adequate ventilation.
- Store and install cylinders in an upright position.
- When storing, ensure cylinders are either secured on deck, or are placed in a properly designed and ventilated container above the water line.
- Be careful when changing cylinders. Make sure the valve on the empty cylinder is turned off before disconnecting and do not turn on the valve of the full cylinder until it is securely connected.
In the event of a fire:
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Small boats
- Make a fire escape plan with everyone on the boat.
- For each sleeping position, plan the best escape route and if possible identify a second way out. If the routes are windows or roof hatches, make sure they are big enough and that they open with ease. If they don’t, provide a means to break the glass such as a small hammer. Footholds, ladders or other means of climbing out of the nominated roof hatches must be quickly and easily accessible.
- Fire extinguishers should be sited where they can be at hand to help you escape.
- Learn how to safely isolate the electrical, fuel and LPG installations in the event of a fire or gas leak.
- Keep all escape routes totally clear.
- Don’t lock cabin doors or hatches using padlocks on the outside.
- Take note of nearby landmarks that may help you identify your location in an emergency.
- Fit a gas and petrol vapour detector alarm in the bilge and cabin spaces to give you early warnings of dangerous build ups of explosive gases.
- Ensure the correct fire extinguishers are fitted. More information can be found on the Boat Safety Scheme website (see related links).
- Check that all appliances are turned off and if possible, close the valve on the LPG cylinders before you go to bed or leave the boat. Make sure all gas or liquid fuelled heating, refrigerated or cooking appliances are properly secured to prevent them from overturning.
- Don’t over bank solid fuel stoves overnight.
- Regularly remove rubbish, oil and debris from all areas, especially the bilge. Discard oily waste responsibly.
- Create a safe store for goods such as diesel, coal, charcoal, wood paint, solvents, adhesives or paraffin and ensure container lids are tight.
- Make sure all materials, i.e., upholstery, soft furnishings, thermal insulation and galley surfaces are fire retardant.
In the event of a fire:
- Get everybody off the boat as quickly as possible.
- Call the Fire Brigade – we’ll need your location, use landmarks if you can.
- Turn off all gas cylinders valves and close any fuel system valves that are safe to reach. Better still, disconnect and remove the cylinder to a safe place. If you really have to, drop it over the side of the boat.
- Warn the occupants of adjacent craft, the harbour, navigation and marina staff as appropriate.
The Boat Safety Scheme website offers further information on boat safety. They have produced a comprehensive guide which includes the boat owner’s responsibilities for keeping their boat safe.
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