Fire safety in the great outdoors

This site gives tips on preventing fires when working or playing outdoors.

Grass fires

Fires can destroy huge areas of countryside and delicate ecosystems and can have fatal results. 74,000 fires start on grass and heath land in Britain every year. Dry conditions increase the risk.

• Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows, extinguish cigarettes properly and don't throw cigarette ends on the ground - take your litter home
• Avoid using open fires in the countryside. If you must have an open fire do not leave it unattended and make sure it is fully extinguished after use.
• Don't leave bottles or glass in woodland - sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them).
• Don't attempt to tackle fires that can't be put out with a bucket of water - leave the area and report it to the fire and rescue service immediately.

Barbeques, campfires and bonfires

• Make sure you choose a site that is flat and away from long grass, trees, fences, sheds and tents.
• Keep a bucket of water, a garden hose or fire blanket nearby.
• Never use petrol or paraffin to start, or revive, fires - only use barbecue fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals.
• Keep children and pets away an put cooking appliances in a place where they can't easily be knocked over.
• Don't leave fires unattended and don't drink too much if you are in charge.
• After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it and empty ashes on to bare soil, not into a bin.

Gas barbecues - additional tips

• Make sure the gas tap is off before changing the gas cylinder and do it in the open air.
• When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbecue controls - this means any gas in the pipeline will be used up.
• Don't keep more cylinders than you need. Gas cylinders should be kept outside, away from direct sunlight and frost.

Camping and caravanning

• Set up tents and caravans at least six metres apart and away from parked cars.
• Don't use gas or oil-burning lanterns or candles - electric torches are much safer.
• Never smoke inside a tent. If you must smoke in a caravan use proper ash trays and never smoke in bed.
• Don't leave children alone inside.
• Make sure air vents in caravans are clear - if any leaking gas builds up you may fall unconscious and be unable to escape
• turn off all appliances before you leave a caravan or go to bed
• never use a cooker or heater in a moving caravan
• Make sure you get gas appliances in caravans regularly checks for safety by a competent organisation.