The risk of fire in a caravan or mobile home is increased because it will spread far more quickly than in a building.
Top tips
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms and test them weekly.
- Don’t dry clothes on or right next to any heater.
- Don’t overload sockets – use an adaptor.
- If you have a solid fuel burner, don’t overload it and only burn fuels recommended by the manufacturer.
- Keep solid fuel burners clean and brush out the flue passages once a month.
- Turn off gas cylinders when not in use.
- Don’t store fuel under your caravan or mobile home, or in direct sunlight. When not in use, gas cylinders should be stored six metres away from the home – and remember that empty canisters are still dangerous.
If there is a fire…
- Make sure you know the full address for your location – if it’s not obvious, a six-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference is helpful.
- If access to the site is difficult for fire engines, say so when you call 999 – four-wheel drive vehicles can be mobilised if that’s the case.
- If there is no obvious water supply (hydrant, river etc), tell the operator.
- Have someone who can meet the first fire engine at the site entrance to direct the crew.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer – you can’t see it, taste it or smell it. The confined spaces of a caravan or mobile home make the risk of suffering CO poisoning far greater. Make sure you have a CO detector and keep the caravan or mobile home well-ventilated.