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FIRE SAFETY OUTDOORS

Whether you're camping or caravanning, cruising our lochs and isles or just enjoying a barbecue, this section gives you essential information on protecting against fire.
 
Barbecues

Cooking with a proper barbecue is safer than using an open fire but you still need to take care, following this guide will ensure you and your family keep safe and enjoy your BBQ:

  • Shelter your BBQ from the wind
  • Place your BBQ on level ground away from the garage, wooden fences, sheds and hedges and long grass
  • Have a bucket of water to hand
  • Use firelighters or fluids fit for purpose
  • Your BBQ should never be left unattended
  • When you are tending to a BBQ never wear loose clothing and tie long hair back
  • Keep children away from the BBQ
  • Alcohol and cooking don’t mix
  • Allow embers to cool completely before disposal
  • Take care when changing gas cylinder BBQ’s


Camp Fires

Learning how to make and use a camp fire safely is an essential skill for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.

Make sure your camp fire stays safe:

  • always make sure you have a clear escape route to safety
  • build it on a cleared earth site for extra safety, dig a fire pit - fill it in before you leave
  • build it at least 10 metres (30 feet) downwind of any tent
  • build it to collapse inward as it burns away
  • never walk away from a camp fire, not even for a few seconds
  • keep a watch for sparks
  • never light a fire in a wooded area or on peat soil - the ground beneath could be set alight
  • never leave hot ashes, always drench with water or cover with soil


Tents

Camping is fun for all the family. Guard against fire and keep it that way. Tents are usually made of material that can easily catch fire:

  • always space tents at least 6 metres (20 feet) apart
  • never smoke in or near tents
  • never use candles in or near tents
  • never store or use flammable liquids in or near tents
  • keep gas containers outside tents
  • never use gas appliances in small tents


If you're using gas appliances in larger tents:

  • place them on a fireproof base, such as a flat stone
  • place them well away from items that catch fire easily, such as sleeping bags and clothing 
  • place them clear of draughts
  • place them where they cannot be knocked over
  • consider having a portable fire extinguisher to hand
  • consider having a fire blanket to hand


Caravanning

  • Ensure caravans are kept at least 6 metres (20 feet) apart.
  • Find out what the firefighting arrangements are on the campsite and where the nearest telephone is.
  • Keep a torch handy for emergencies. Do not use a candle.
  • Fit a smoke detector in your caravan.
  • Do not leave children alone in a caravan.


Further Information

For further information and advice on home fire safety, contact the Community Risk Management Department.