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Caravans and camping

Advice on staying fire safe in your caravan or tent.

​Ensure caravans and tents are at least six metres apart and away from parked cars, to reduce the risk of fire spreading. A fire can destroy a tent in less than 60 seconds and, on average, 360 fires per year occur in caravans. See the video below from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service:

Caravan and awning

Visit our home safety checks and alarms page for advice on how to check your home. We have a checklist available to download and you will also find how to apply for a visit should you need more help.

GOV.UK have a useful information ‘Fire safety outdoors’ leaflet you can download and display.

  • Fit and test a smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in your caravan
  • Take special care when cooking – don’t leave pans unattended
  • Turn off all appliances before you go out or to bed
  • Keep a torch handy for emergencies – never use lighted candles
  • Make sure the caravan is ventilated and never block air vents
  • Make sure you know the campsite’s fire safety arrangements and check where the nearest telephone is
  • Don’t use petrol or paraffin to light a solid fuel stove
  • Keep flammable liquids outside and away from children
  • Only change gas cylinders when they’re completely empty and store them away from tents, caravans and vehicles
  • Don’t dry clothes over the stove
  • Make sure the gas pipe connection is secure
  • Never smoke while changing your gas
  • In case of fire keep calm and get everyone out as quickly as you can
  • Call the fire and rescue service and give the exact location (map reference or a landmark such as a farm or pub is useful)
  • Make sure ashtrays are made of a material that can’t burn – and never smoke in bed
  • Remove any litter and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading

  • Never use candles in or near a tent
  • Never cook inside a small tent and keep cooking appliances away from the tent walls
  • Don’t cook near flammable materials or long grass
  • Make sure you know your escape route
  • Make sure everyone knows how to put out clothing that’s on fire – stop, drop and roll
  • Don’t smoke inside tents

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