Plea from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire to 'enjoy the great outdoors safely'
They've shared advice for campers and caravanners this summer
Dorset and Wiltshire's firefighters are encouraging to enjoy the great outdoors safely this summer.
They've been sharing advice for people camping, using a caravan and about open fires to prevent blazes and reduce risk to ourselves.
Group Manager Jim Weston said:
“A long hot summer is what we hope for. However, like many changes in activity, it can bring risks. If you’re intending to take out your tent, ready your rucksack or get your caravan back on the road, you should go armed with some safety advice before heading for the great outdoors.”
There's a series of tips for people to follow to keep everyone safe:
If you're camping out, remember to:
- Allow at least 6m spacing between tents and caravans and ensure they are away from parked cars to reduce the risk of fire spreading
- Don’t smoke inside tents
- 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 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
If you're taking a caravan out on the road this summer, or staying in a static on a holiday park:
- Fit and test a smoke alarm
- Take special care when cooking – don’t leave pans unattended
- Turn off all appliances before you go out or to bed
- Make sure ashtrays are made of a material that can’t burn or and position them securely so they can’t topple over – never smoke in bed
- Don’t dry clothes over the stove
- Remove any litter and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading
- Make sure the caravan is ventilated, and never block air vents, to avoid a build-up of carbon monoxide
We're asked to avoid having open fires in our countryside, but if you must, the advice includes:
- It should be downwind, at least 10m from a tent
- Clear dry vegetation, such as leaves and twigs and form a circle of earth around the fire
- Build a stack that will collapse inwards whilst burning
- Do not leave fires unattended
- Make sure that fires are fully extinguished after use
If a fire does breakout, we're asked to call the fire service on 999, and give the exact location, using something like the What3Words app, or use a local landmark for reference.
Don't investigate or tackle the fire yourself and leave the area as quickly as possible, not returning until firefighters say it's safe to do so.
DWFRS Group Manager Jim Weston said:
“It may all sound a bit daunting, but it needn’t be, most of this advice is common sense. From time to time we all need reminders; so, enjoy the countryside and your recreation and be safe.”