The potential perils of one moment of carelessness are being hammered home to grey nomads and other caravanners and motorhomers by fire experts.
In New South Wales alone, emergency services were called to more than 130 fires in caravans and mobile properties during 2013. And, in the past decade, firefighters attended nearly 1000 incidents in caravans, campervans and mobile homes in which eight people have died and 60 have been injured.
NSW Fire and Rescue (NSWFR) says campers need to be especially cautious with open flames and cigarettes.
“Whether you’re holidaying in a caravan or a tent, you need to take the same fire safety precautions you would in your home,” said NSWFR Commissioner Greg Mullins
Fires can rip through caravans and motorhomes at amazing speed and smoke alarms are now mandatory in all moveable dwellings where people sleep.
Of course, the potential for real tragedy is exacerbated by the fact that caravans and motorhomes often park extremely close to each other, and flames can easily leap from one vehicle to another.
Last October, a discarded cigarette sparked a blaze that swept through the car park at Sydney’s Homebush Aquatic Centre destroying 47 cars.
“So care needs to be taken in caravans parks and camping areas, where vehicles and tents are close together and fire can spread between them,” Mr Mullins said.
Are you shocked by the high number of fires in mobile dwellings? Do you check your smoke alarm regularly? How wary are you of fire risks when you are parked in close quarters with other campers?
C/P owners and managers are the blame for having Vans parked way too close to one another….Sardines pack em Tight…..Have ago at them people
Jimbo, while I agree some parks are sardine cans, I still think its over to us to be careful and on the ball when it comes to fire prevention. Now I know nothing can be done when the idiot next door takes no care when smoking. By the same token knowing where the fire fighting appliances are located will be helpful in the event of fire.. Rock and a hard place sometimes..
Being trained in firefighting when I was in the RAAF and seeing a number of fires caused by stupidity, I am of the opinion that most caravan fires are preventable with a little care and diligence. For example, how many of us purge the gas lines before we travel? Part of your pre-drive and setup routine should be fire awareness and knowing the location of fire appliances etc. Food for though folks.
Are you shocked by the high number of fires in mobile dwellings? Do you check your smoke alarm regularly? How wary are you of fire risks when you are parked in close quarters with other campers?
YES – YES – VERY.
A few years ago at Banka Banka station a caravan and car caught fire narrowly averting a major tragedy the fire was caused by filling a hot generator with fuel and spilling the petrol over it the owner was lucky his wife and child got out of the van in time