Caravans, motorhomes and static caravans are small spaces with cooking, gas and heating all close together. A fire can spread in minutes, so early warning and a quick way out are vital.

Alarms

  • Smoke alarm – fit one made to BS EN 14604, ideally an optical type with a hush button so cooking doesn't keep setting it off. Test it every month.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) alarm – fit one made to BS EN 50291-2, which covers alarms for leisure vehicles and boats. Carbon monoxide has no smell or colour, and can come from gas appliances, heaters and engines.

See Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Which Goes Where?.

Never Take a Barbecue Inside

Never bring a barbecue – even one that's cooling down – into a caravan, motorhome, awning or tent. As well as the obvious fire risk, it gives off deadly carbon monoxide long after the flames have gone.

Extinguishers and Fire Blankets

  • Keep a fire blanket near the cooker. See Fire Blankets: Where and How to Use Them.
  • Keep an extinguisher near the door, in a bracket, away from the cooker – so you can grab it on your way out.
  • The UK's main caravan clubs advise against powder extinguishers inside caravans and motorhomes, because the powder cloud is hard to breathe and see through in a small space.
  • A water mist or Firexo extinguisher is a good choice for inside. Check the label for the fire classes it covers.

If a fire takes hold, don't try to fight it. Get everyone out, stay out and call 999. See Fire Extinguishers for Home, Car and Boat.

Gas Safety

  • Keep gas cylinders upright and secure, in their own ventilated locker or outside.
  • Change cylinders in the open air, with all appliances turned off.
  • If you smell gas, turn it off at the cylinder, put out any flames, open doors and windows, and don't use electrical switches.
  • Have gas appliances serviced regularly by a qualified engineer – usually as part of an annual habitation check.

Everyday Precautions

  • Never leave cooking unattended.
  • Don't block ventilation – it's there to keep you safe from carbon monoxide.
  • Don't dry clothes over the cooker or heater.
  • Know how to open every exit, including emergency windows.
  • Take care with lithium leisure batteries and e-bike batteries – charge with the right charger and stop using any that are damaged. See Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: What You Need to Know.

Spacing on Sites

Fire spreads easily between caravans parked close together. On club sites, units are normally kept at least 6 m apart. Licensed caravan parks follow model standards set by each nation, which cover spacing, fire points and firefighting equipment.

Letting a Static Caravan or Lodge

If you let a static caravan or lodge to paying guests, fire safety law applies to you just as it does to a holiday cottage. You'll need a written fire risk assessment and suitable alarms and equipment. See Fire Safety for Landlords and HMOs and the official guide for England: GOV.UK – small paying-guest accommodation.

More advice: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service – camping and caravanning.

Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides what your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.

Not sure what you need? Get in touch with our team – we'll be delighted to help. No pressure. No sales patter.