How to make caravans safe as fire officials offer advice

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service has been talking to people about caravan safety following a blaze that claimed the lives of a dad and his daughter earlier in the month.

Esme Baker, 10, and Lee Baker, 48, from Nottinghamshire, died in a caravan fire in Ingoldmells on Saturday 5 April.

The fire service says the blaze was accidental and officers have been out in public this week to offer safety tips and advice, as well as address any concerns people may have ahead of the summer holiday season.

"When you arrive, before putting the kettle on, take a minute or two to think about fire safety," says Dan Moss, area manager for prevention and protection.

"Make sure there is a smoke detector and test it to make sure it's working.

"Check which windows open far enough for you to get out of if needed, and clear anything blocking an escape route. Look for a fire extinguisher, or fire blanket, in case of small fires, and that they are easily reachable if you need them."

Natasha Broadley, whose two-year-old daughter Louisiana Brooke Dolan died in a caravan fire in 2021 at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, has been campaigning for better fire safety measures.

She says she has contacted Lee and Esme's family and offered support following their deaths.

"It hurt my heart (when I heard the news)," she says.

"This is what I've been dreading, seeing another caravan fire. And, sadly, two lives have been lost.

"There needs to be a real crackdown on caravan safety.

"I'd like more checks to make sure the smoke alarms are working. People need to be on top of gas certificates.

"I just want to make them safer for families. That is my number one priority.

"All we did was go on holiday and we came back without my baby."

Officers from the fire service were stationed on Skegness Tower Esplanade on Tuesday as part of their awareness campaign.

Among the information given out was to not leave mobile phones on charge overnight.

Phil and his daughter, Lyla, who were visiting from Stoke-on-Trent, say the advice was "enlightening".

"We didn't know you shouldn't charge phones overnight. Fire safety wasn't something I thought about when I booked the holiday," Phil says.

Lyla adds: "It was shocking. I didn't expect charging my phone at night to be one of the risks. I will consider not doing it anymore if that's a big risk."

Alastair, visiting with his family from near Sterling in Scotland, says fire safety is always on their minds.

He fits stoves for a living and says "you always have to be conscious of fire safety and carbon monoxide".

"I check out first of all where the fire extinguishers are," he says.

"Especially, when you have kids. You have to make sure they're safe."

The fire service says the first thing anyone should do if a fire breaks out is to "always get everyone away from the caravan at a safe distance and call 999 immediately".

Other advice includes:

• Make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguishers are
• Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working
• Make sure everyone knows an escape route
• If you smoke, use metal ashtrays and never smoke in bed
• Ensure air vents are clear - if air vents get blocked, it could be fatal
• Turn off all appliances before you leave the caravan or go to bed
• Never use a cooker or heater while your caravan is moving
• When cooking, don't leave any pans unattended
• Find out the firefighting arrangements on the campsite
• Don't dry clothes over the stove
• Children should never be left alone in a caravan
• Don't charge mobile phones overnight.

Find out more about staying safe in a caravan here.

The National Caravan Council says it is vital that smoke alarms are kept in good working order and says at least one must be fitted in the hallway outside the bedrooms and tested every month.

Caravan parks require a licence from the local authority and people can contact the council if they have concerns.

An East Lindsey District Council spokesperson said: "We would encourage all caravan owners and holidaymakers to explore the caravan licensing resources on the council website and to familiarise themselves with the caravan site licence, which includes conditions that cover fire safety and other health and safety matters."

Fire safety officers visit caravan parks regularly to offer advice and to identify possible risks.

"We know the number of sites there are up and down the coast," Dan says.

"When we identify risks, we make sure we can support and manage those risks and work with local authorities to make sure relevant safety requirements are in place.

"We don't want to shut any caravan park but if we have to do that, we will support the local authority with that enforcement."

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