Fire Safety in your mobile


Mobile home on fire

What you don't want to see

PREVENTION

NEVER:

  • Keep flammable liquids in the vans, sheds or under the decking.
  • Use petrol or paraffin when lighting a solid fuel stove.
  • Leave burning candles unattended and always use a proper candle holder.
  • Leave young children unattended.
  • Leave matches and lighters where children can get them (or even see them).
  • Smoke when in bed, tired or on medication.
  • Leave chip pans, frying pans, etc. unattended - even for a minute.
  • Overload electric sockets (one plug – one socket).
  • Use faulty electrical appliances.
  • Run electrical appliances from an electric light socket.

MAKE SURE TO:

  • Have your heating system serviced regularly - at least once a year.
  • Have your gas cylinder outside, on solid ground and away from any heat sources, in the area approved by JHBR.
  • Keep ashtrays empty when not in use.
  • Have a suitable fire extinguisher and fire blanket near the main door.
  • Carry out a routine fire safety check before going to bed.
  • Unplug all unnecessary electrical appliances at night.
  • Close all doors at night.

DETECTION

Smoke Alarms are designed to give you an early warning of a fire - 82% of fires resulting in fatalities had no working smoke alarm.

MAKE SURE TO:

Test it - regularly

Test it - regularly

  • Have at least one smoke alarm fitted.
  • Test your smoke alarms at least once a week - pick a time and day to do it - say Sunday at noon.
  • pp3batteryChange the battery immediately when the warning beep sounds - better still, change the battery at the start of the season for peace of mind - typically, alarms use a PP3 9V battery, also know as 6F22 and can cost as little as €3

EVACUATION PLAN

When a Smoke Alarm alerts you about a fire in your home you should have an “Evacuation Plan” so you and your family can escape safely.

MAKE SURE TO:

  • Plan an evacuation drill with all of your family and practice it regularly.
  • Where possible have an alternative exit in case your primary exit is blocked.
  • Have a meeting point in a safe place outside of the house.
  • Ensure all escape routes are kept clear day and night.
  • Keep keys to doors and windows easily and immediately available.
  • Know where the nearest phone is (with coverage, if a mobile phone) to contact the emergency services.

CALLING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES

Dial 999 or 112

  • Tell the operator what service you require.
  • Speak calmly and clearly giving the address of the fire and your phone number.
  • If using a mobile phone the operator may ask what county you are in.
  • Only hang up when the operator tells you to.

SITE SAFETY

NEVER:

  • Store Fuel under mobiles
  • Allow rubbish to build up in or around mobiles
  • Keep flammable liquids in the vans, sheds or under the decking

MAKE SURE TO:

  • Leave access roads clear for the emergency services.
  • Park cars well clear of mobiles.
  • Leave a gap of about 6 metres (around 18 feet) between mobiles to prevent a fire from spreading.
  • Store empty gas cylinders in a suitable storage away from mobiles and vehicles.
  • Find out what facilities are available on site for Fire Fighting and how they work.
  • KNOW THE FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS
    • For all Headland sites: in front of Water Tower
    • At Car Park Between Mobiles 37 – 39
    • Between Mobiles 48 – 49
    • Between Mobiles 55 – 56
  • Familiarise yourself with the locations of all hydrants and not just the hydrant nearest to your mobile.

FACTS!

  • On average 46 people DIE each year in fires in this country.
  • Fires do not always happen to other people.
  • The next fire could be in your mobile.

GENERAL SAFETY POINTS

MAKE SURE TO:

  • Keep the mobile ventilated and don’t block up air vents – it could be fatal.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher inside the mobile, by the door. It should be easy to reach as you leave the kitchen - the most likely source of a fire.
  • Have a proper First Aid Kit in the mobile.

REMEMBER:

BE CAREFUL WHEN USING PORTABLE ELECTRIC / GAS / OIL HEATERS.

Never leave unattended

Never leave unattended

  • Always use a spark guard with these heaters.
  • Do not use them near furniture, curtains, etc. and ensure that they cannot be knocked over.
  • Take extreme care if using heaters to dry clothes - better still, don't use heaters to dry clothes at all.
  • Never leave them on when going to bed.
  • Take care if pets are near the heaters.

The content was adapted from a leaflet FIRE SAFETY IN CARAVANS prepared by:

WICKLOW COUNTY FIRE SERVICE

Phone 01-2117600

AIDEN DEMPSEY, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER