Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 11/07/2008 12:43

Summer is here again and as with every year, we all hope for hot sunny days so that we can get out and enjoy the great outdoors or the many festivals on offer around the country. However, like many changes in activity, there are risks involved, and Cornwall County Fire Brigade is issuing some safety advice to be aware of while you enjoy the sunshine. So, if you are intending to make ready your caravan or dust off your tent then take a minute to check out the advice below.

Tents

· 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 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

· Don’t smoke inside tents

Caravans

· Fit and test a smoke alarm in your caravan – 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

· Make sure ashtrays are made of a material that can’t burn or 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 poisonous gases

Open Fires

If you must have an open fire:

· It should be downwind, at least 10m from the tent

· Clear dry vegetation, leaves, etc, to 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

Grass and forest fires spread rapidly
· Never throw cigarette ends out of car window – they could start a fire and ruin surrounding countryside

· Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodlands. Sunlight shining through glass can start a fire. Take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin

Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden says, “If a fire should breakout, call the fire brigade on 999 and give the exact location, if necessary give a map reference or if this is not possible a landmark such as a farm or pub etc, will help us to locate you. If you discover a fire, do not be tempted to investigate. Leave the area as quickly as possible and dial 999 for the fire brigade. Do not return unless the fire brigade tells you that it is safe to do so.”

Ken Yeo, Executive Member for Public Protection adds, “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.”

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=11546