Top tips for fire safety in your static caravan

If you're planning on using your static caravan in the winter months, read on for our top tips for preventing a fire in your holiday home.

• Store your gas bottles away from the caravan and, if possible, wait until your current gas bottle is completely empty before changing it.
• Keeping all air vents clear will ensure that no gas can build up inside the holiday home should there be a leak in the system. If you suspect a gas leak, open all windows and doors and contact your Park Manager immediately.
• Before retiring to bed on an evening, ensure you have switched off all gas and electric appliances and nothing is left on standby. Make this part of your routine like locking the door and drawing the curtains.
• Fitting a smoke alarm in your static caravan is a must. The alarm will alert you as soon as any smoke is detected, meaning you have time to evacuate the holiday home before the fire takes hold. Make sure your smoke alarm is working by checking the batteries on a regular basis. It's also worth checking what type of battery your smoke alarm uses and keeping a spare one in your caravan should you need one.
• Make sure you are familiar with your park's fire safety procedures and you know where any assembly points are located as well as how to raise the alarm.
• If you're planning a fireworks display around bonfire night, don't forget all the safety advice issued in the media - for example, never return to a lit firework. Also ensure you store your fireworks away from any gas appliances or heat sources in your static caravan, or even better, store them outside away from anything flammable. Never let fireworks off in close proximity to your static caravan or any other neighbouring holiday home.
• As Christmas fast approaches, it's inevitable that the odd Christmas decoration will find its way into your static caravan. Just remember not to go overboard and keep your escape route clear. Also ensure decorations are hung well away from any appliances or heat sources to avoid the risk of them catching fire.
• Fairy lights can make a festive addition to your holiday home, but make sure they don't add to the fire risk by switching them off and unplugging them before you go to bed or before you leave your static caravan unattended - especially if you’re leaving your caravan and returning home for Christmas.
• If you're partial to a cigarette or cigar in your holiday home, ensure you have an appropriate ashtray in which to extinguish it when you've finished. Even better - smoke outside and away from the caravan to minimise the risk of fire.

Fortunately fires in static caravans are rare but when they do occur they usually cause major damage. One specialist insurance broker suggests claim cost for fire during 2007 was, on average, over £5000.

As the colder months approach, the use of gas and electrical heating systems can put us more at risk of a fire in our static caravans, but taking some simple steps to prevent a fire can put your mind at ease and leave you to enjoy your time in your holiday home.