by Tom Walsh
Caravanners have been warned about the dangers of fire, after a fire officer claimed that caravans fires are nine times as likely to be deadly as those that occur in houses.
The warning comes from Paul Howes, fire protection officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, who told ThisisLincolnshire.co.uk that the region welcomes around 20,000 caravans for holidays, weekend breaks and permanent residences and it is possible for any of these to be affected by accidental fires.
“As a fire in a caravan or mobile home is nine-times more likely to lead to death or injury than in a house it is important that people are aware of how to avoid being in such situations,” he told the source.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue advises that vans should be parked at least six metres apart to prevent any flames spreading, while BBQs should never be used inside a caravan or awning to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning as well as the obvious fire risk.
A smoke alarm should be fitted to every vehicle and tested regularly to ensure that the battery works. Cooking appliances should never be left unattended and caravanners have been warned not to risk smoking while in bed.
Caravans are always going to be something of a fire hazard, due to the manually fitted gas supply, close quarters and the lightweight materials used to build the walls, which are far more flammable than bricks and mortar.
To counter this recent developments in the caravan industry to make tourers safer include mandatory fitting of Carbon Monoxide and smoke alarms in every new model built in the UK, but caravanners are still advised to stay vigilant and not take any unnecessary risks.
Getting your caravan’s gas appliances serviced regularly is also highly recommended to avoid any dangerous gas leaks taking place.
