Camping

Every year a large number of people suffer injuries from fire whilst camping. Taking heed of the following fire safety precautions these fires and injuries may be prevented.

• Allow at least 6 metres (18 feet) spacing between tents.
• Never use candles in or near a tent - use a torch.
• Discourage smoking, especially in smaller tents.
• Do not use cooking equipment or lights that have a naked flame in smaller tents.
• Be sure to use cooking equipment and gas cylinders in the way the manufacturers recommend.
• Flammable liquids and LPG cylinders should be kept outside of the tent if possible.

Cooking

• Site cookers away from the entrance to your tent.
• Only cook in tents which have a designed ‘kitchen area’ - most small tents do not have such an area. If you use them in large or family size tents, position them well away from the tent walls and roof or anything else which could burn.
• Ensure your cooker is stable. Keep them out of draughts and in a place where they will not be knocked over.
• Keep flammables including long grass away from the cooking area.

Liquid Fuel Appliances

• Avoid using appliances fuelled by petrol if possible and ensure the correct fuel is used.
• Filling and lighting should be carried out in the open air. All fuel used should be stored in a cool place away from combustibles, and in the correct containers.
• Remember, hot weather will cause fuel to evaporate, the fumes will follow ground contours and may travel a long way unobserved.

Gas Appliances

These are the items most often involved in starting unwanted fires and explosions.

• Change disposable gas cartridges only when completely empty.
• When you change cartridges and cylinders, do so in open air, away from any ignition source.
• When an appliance is not in use, the cylinder should be turned off at the valve.
• Ensure that flexible pipes are securely clipped and do not leak.

If You Build An Open Fire

• Never build a fire where the soil is of peat.
• Build it well away from any tents especially in windy weather (at least 10 metres).
• Clear the area of grass, leaves and brush away to form a circle of earth around the fire.
• A fire stack should be made so that it will collapse inward when burning.
• Watch for flying embers and sparks.
• Do not leave the fire unattended.
• Make sure the fire is properly out at night or when you leave.