Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service Press Release
Staying safe in the great outdoors

The school holidays are here and many people are planning a family camping trip to entertain the children.

But, while camping and caravanning can be exciting and fun, there are many dangers if you don’t take proper care.

Last year Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service attended 75 grass fires and 15 fires involving caravans.

This year, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service, part of Gloucestershire County Council’s Community Safety Service, is keen to help people get away safely.

Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing, said: “A long hot summer is what we hope for and camping or caravanning is often an exciting and inexpensive way of getting away. However, it can bring risks with it.

“Did you know a fire can destroy a tent in less than 60 seconds?

“If you are intending to make ready your caravan, dust off your tent, or sort out your rucksack, we would like you go armed with some safety advice when heading for the great outdoors.”

Cllr Will Windsor Clive, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Everyone loves the great outdoors and we have plenty of lovely places in Gloucestershire to go camping and caravanning.

“But it is important to be responsible and take care in the outdoors.

“If you’re planning a trip into the countryside, make sure you get the best out of your trip by taking this helpful advice.”

If you’re going camping:

• Allow at least 6m spacing between tents and caravans and ensure they are away from parked cars to reduce the risk of fire spreading.

• Never use candles in or near a tent - torches are safer..

• Keep cooking appliances away from the tent walls and never cook inside a small tent or near flammable materials or long grass; they can all be set alight easily

• Make sure you know how to escape by cutting your way out of the tent if there’s a fire.

• Make sure everyone knows how to put out clothing that’s on fire - stop, drop and roll.

• Try not to smoke inside your tent.

In your caravan:

• Fit and test a smoke alarm - optical alarms are usually most effective.

• Take special care when cooking - don’t leave pans unattended.

• Turn off all appliances before you go out or to bed.

• Don’t dry clothes over the stove.

• To reduce the risk of fire spreading, remove any litter and rubbish around the caravan.

• Make sure the caravan is ventilated, and never block air vents, to avoid a build up of poisonous gases.

• If you must smoke. Make sure you use a proper ashtray that can’t burn or topple over, and never smoke in bed.

If you have an open fire:

• It should be at least 10m downwind from the tent.

• Clear dry vegetation, leaves, etc, to form a circle of earth around the fire.

• Build a fire stack that will collapse inwards whilst burning

• Never leave fire unattended.

• Make sure that fires are fully extinguished after use.

Following these simple tips should avoid any problems, but if a fire should breakout you should take the following action:

• Do not be tempted to investigate.

• Leave the area as quickly as possible and ring for the fire and rescue service and give the exact location.

• If necessary give a map reference. If this is not possible a landmark such as a farm or pub etc, will help us to locate you.

• Do not return unless the fire and rescue service tells you that it is safe to do so.

ENDS

CONTACT:
Issued by Lisa Bonnell, Gloucestershire County Council's Media Team
Tel: 01452 425226

27th July 2009