If you stay in a caravan:

• Fit a smoke detector
• Take special care when cooking – don't leave pans unattended
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children
• If you smoke, use suitable metal ashtrays – and never smoke in bed
• Don't leave children alone inside
• Don't block air vents – this can be fatal

For more advice on staying safe outdoors contact our Community Fire Safety Hotline on 0114 2532314.

Countryside & Thatched Properties 

Every year, fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats. Some fires are started deliberately, but most are due to carelessness and a few simple precautions can prevent them.

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
• Don't leave bottles or glass in woodlands – sunlight shining through glass can start fires; take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin
• Only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended
• 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 can't be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible

Thatched roofs are always at risk from fire. Once a fire has taken hold in a thatched roof, it will spread rapidly. In addition to following all the usual precautions for fire safety in the home, if you are in a thatched building, you should also:

• Keep chimneys and flues clean and well-maintained
• Use a bulkhead type light fitting in your loft space
• Never burn rubbish or garden waste near the property
• Never light fireworks near a thatched property
• Fit television aerials to a freestanding pole. Where this is not possible, the aerial should be fixed to a gable or gable-end chimney, where the cable can be run down the wall, avoiding contact with the thatch.

Water Safety

Both water and ice can be dangerous. Whether out at sea or by a river, canal, lake or pond you can enjoy water safely if you understand the dangers and follow some basic rules.

• Obey warning notices. Don't interfere with safety equipment or life buoys or damage warning notices
• Children should never go boating, exploring or fishing near water alone. Always go into the countryside in a group, and always tell your parents where you are going
• Avoid locks and weirs - they may have dangerous currents
• Take care around banks - they may be slippery or crumbly
• Never leave small children unsupervised near open water. They should always have an adult present for water activities
• Always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid when boating, sailing or canoeing
• Learn water safety, rescue and first aid skills

Ice

• Keep off all frozen water. Never dare someone to walk onto the ice
• Never go onto the ice to help someone who has fallen in. Always call for help
• Don't send your pet onto the ice

Fire Safety on Boats

Fires on boats are not as common as fires on land.  The following tips will help you stay safe and avoid the risk of fire afloat:

• Fit and maintain a smoke alarm. Optical alarms are best for boats – think carefully where you fit them so they can wake people up
• Take care to ventilate the cabin to reduce the build up of poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide, and the risk of fumes igniting
• Check and maintain your fuel, gas and electrical systems on your boat regularly
• Do not allow oil or debris to build up in the bilges
• Always keep track of your position or location so you can tell the emergency services where you are
• Keep extinguishers and blankets within easy reach, close to exits and high risk areas, such as the galley or the engine
• In the event of fire, move everyone off the boat immediately – if you are offshore, notify the Coastguard by radio, make a Mayday call, or display a distress signal