Leisure Safety - Advice on how to be safe in the Countryside
Introduction When you want to relax, the last thing you’re probably thinking of is safety. Especially when you’re outdoors, or away from home. But that’s when accidents can easily happen, in particular if you’re in unfamiliar surroundings.
Fire safety doesn’t stop when you leave your home. Carelessness outdoors can have fatal results, and fires can also destroy huge areas of countryside and delicate ecosystems.
Leisure activities such as barbecues, camping and caravanning should be relaxing and enjoyable experiences. But it is important to stay alert to the fire hazards that they pose.
These activities are most popular during the warmer months – when dry ground adds to the dangers – but care should be taken at all times of the year.
This section covers what to watch out for when outdoors, and what steps you can take if there’s a fire.
Be careful
When children are around
When lighting a barbecue
When disposing of used barbecue coals
When people are drinking
With gas bottles
With candles and cigarettes
Barbecue Safety
Having a barbecue should be a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. But cooking over hot coals can be hazardous. It's easy to be distracted when you have family and friends around you whilst cooking. To avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple tips:
Make sure that your barbecue is in good working order.
Keep a bucket of water, a bucket of sand or a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies.
Make sure your barbecue site is flat and well away from sheds, fences, trees and shrubs.
Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth of about 50mm (two inches)
Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
Never leave the barbecue unattended.
When you've finished cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it. Empty ashes onto bare garden soil.
Never put ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin. If they're hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire
Remember. Barbecues should never be lit indoors.
Gas Barbecues
Bottled gas barbecues need special care when being turned on and off.
Make sure the tap is turned off before changing the gas cylinder.
Change gas cylinders in the open air if possible, or open doors and windows to provide good ventilation.
When you’ve finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbecue controls, to ensure any gas in the pipeline is used up.
Don't overload sockets.
If you suspect a leak to the gas cylinder or pipe work:
Brush soapy water around all joints and watch for bubbles.
If you find a leaky joint, try to tighten it. But do not over tighten.
Storing Gas Cylinders
Do not keep more spare gas cylinders than you need.
Store gas cylinders outside.
Keep gas cylinders away from frost and direct sunlight.
Never store gas cylinders under the stairs of your home - if you are upstairs this is your means of escape from a fire.
Enjoy yourself, but remember - too much alcohol and fire never mix!
Camping Safety
The Basics
Everyone loves to relax and enjoy the great outdoors when caravanning and camping. But just because you’re taking a break, don’t forget fire safety precautions.
When you arrive at your site:
Ensure that caravans and tents are kept at least 6 metres apart.
Find out what the fire-fighting arrangements on the campsite are and where the nearest telephone is.
Keep a torch handy for emergencies. Don't use a lit candle.
If there's a fire:
Fires in tents and caravans spread very quickly: Get everyone out straight away.
Call the Fire and Rescue service and give the exact location.
Give a map reference, if possible. Otherwise, give a landmark such as a farm or pub etc, to help them to locate you.
Caravans
Fit a smoke detector in your caravan. See more on smoke alarms here.
Take care when cooking - don't leave fat pans unattended.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
If you smoke, use suitable metal ashtrays. Never smoke in bed.
Children should not be left alone in a caravan.
Keep the caravan ventilated. Don't block up air vents - it could be fatal.
Keep a fire extinguisher inside the caravan, by the door.
Gas Bottles
Keep cylinders outside your caravan.
Before going to bed or leaving the caravan, turn off all appliances.
Turn off cylinders unless appliances (such as a fridge) are designed to run continuously.
Never use a cooker or a heater whilst a camper or caravan is moving.
Change gas bottles only when completely empty.
If you suspect a gas leak:
Turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve
Open all doors and windows
Do not smoke or operate electrical switches
Tents
Never use candles in or near a tent. Torches are much safer.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Flammable liquids and gas cylinders should be kept outside the tent and away from children.
Oil burning appliances shouldn't be used in or around tents.
Keep cooking appliances away from walls and the roof and where they can easily be knocked over
Cooking appliances should not be used in small tents.
Keep flammable material, including long grass, away from cooking area
Don’t smoke inside tents.
Have an escape plan, and be prepared to cut your way out of the tent if there is a fire.
Make sure everyone knows how to put out a clothing fire - stop, drop and roll
Prevention is key. A fire can destroy a tent in less than 60 seconds. Avoid using naked flames inside tents.
Fire Safety in the Countryside
Every year, fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats. Some fires are started deliberately, but most are due to carelessness. Follow these tips to reduce the risks of wildfires in the countryside.
Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows - they can ruin whole fields of crops.
Do not leave bottles or glass in woodlands. Sunlight shining through glass can start large fires. Take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin.
Only use barbecues in suitable and safe areas and never leave them unattended.
Keep young children, and ball games away from barbecues
Ensure that your barbecue is fully extinguished and cold before disposing of the contents
Avoid using open fires in the countryside
If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately.
Don't attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water. Leave the area as soon as possible.
Don’t be the cause of a wildfire!
It might seem like a good idea at the time, but a fire in the open can easily get out of control.
Check first with the landowner if fires and barbecues are permitted.
Only have them in a safe, designated area.
The Countryside Code
The Countryside Code contains advice for the public and landowners. It has information about rights, responsibilities and liabilities and how we all have a duty to protect the countryside. Together with common sense, it helps to make it easy for visitors to act responsibly and identify possible dangers.
"Fires can be as devastating to wildlife and habitats as they are to people and property - so be careful not to drop a match or smouldering cigarette at any time of the year. Sometimes, controlled fires are used to manage vegetation, particularly on heaths and moors between October and early April, so please check that a fire is not supervised before calling 999."(From the Countryside Code)
To find out more about the Code, visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
