Top tips for caravan fire safety

When pitching your caravan, always check the fire procedure for the site along with obtaining a detailed map of the area so you can guide the fire brigade to your location should the need arise. Make sure you leave at least 6 metres between your caravan and any parked cars, neighbouring caravans or tents.

During the summer months, barbecues are one of the more common causes of fires on campsites, but as the summer draws to a close, the barbecues are put into storage and there may be the temptation to warm your hands around a campfire. As with barbecues, there are certain precautions you should take to stop your campfire getting out of control. For example:

• always have a bucket of water or sand close by to throw on the fire
• never use petrol to start a fire - only recognised firelighters and fluids
• never start a campfire close to caravans, awnings, trees or flammable liquids
• always check the fire regulations and procedures of the campsite you are staying on before starting a fire
• also never use your gas stove as a heat source and leave it on overnight.

If you're planning on using your caravan around bonfire night, you'll need to take extra care with fireworks. Having your own fireworks display is a great way to keep the kids amused, even if it's just a few sparklers, but they can be dangerous, so here's our advice for staying safe on bonfire night:

• store fireworks away from any heat sources or gas appliances
• never light fireworks close to the caravan, or pointed in the direction of the caravan
• always adhere to the general safety rules regarding fireworks, such as never returning to a lit firework and always have a bucket with sand or water nearby.

Inside the caravan, you can minimise the risk of a fire indoors by ensuring all appliances are turned off before you leave the caravan and before you go to bed as this is when you are most vulnerable to a fire. It is therefore wise to fit a smoke detector that will warn you of a fire before it gets out of control and gives you time to escape and raise the alarm.

Carry a fire extinguisher in the caravan, behind the door in case of emergencies, but if in doubt, don't try to tackle the fire yourself as it can quickly become out of control.

If you're a smoker, try to avoid smoking inside the caravan, or make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly using a metal ashtray.

Keep children away from gas appliances and the kitchen area whilst cooking and keep any matches and lighters away from children.

Don't use candles in your caravan - it's much safer to have a torch handy. Make sure you have spare batteries or even better - a dynamo (or wind-up) torch.

To avoid any fires started by a gas leak, store gas cylinders outside and only change them when they are completely empty. Never block air vents to ensure fresh air can flow freely through the caravan.

If you suspect a gas leak, there are some precautions you can take like turning off all appliances and disconnecting the main gas cylinder. You should also avoid using any electrical appliances and of course smoking! Opening all windows and doors will let the gas escape from the caravan and pose less of a threat of explosion. Of course, regular servicing of your caravan is advised to pick up any faults with your gas and electric appliances. Your local caravan dealer should be able to carry out this servicing.

With Christmas around the corner, you may be planning to spend some of the festive season in your caravan. If you want to get into the festive spirit and decorate your caravan with the usual trimmings, be careful not to hang decorations near to gas appliances, or block any vents or escape routes with Christmas trees! Fairy lights can also be a hazard if left on, so remember to switch them off and unplug them before going to bed or leaving the caravan unattended.

Fortunately fire claims in caravans are quite rare but when they do occur they can result in hefty caravan insurance claims. One caravan insurance specialist says its average cost for fire related claims is around £3000.

Stay safe this winter and all year round by following these simple tips to avoid a fire in or around your caravan.