Grilling, roasting, cooking or sitting around at the fireplace with family and friends – these are just a few examples of what makes camping so special. Gas cookers, electronic devices and combustible materials are used almost everywhere. Especially when you’re in a good mood, it can easily happen that something catches fire. In order to be able to react quickly and carefully in dangerous situations, campers have to be well prepared. In this guide, you will learn what is important for camping fire protection and which products will help you to travel carefree and safely.
Simple measures and rules
The following measures and rules will help you to prepare optimally for your holiday:
- Replace old devices and cables: This can prevent most cable fires and short circuits. This and other electrical installations are best carried out by specialist companies. Important: keep receipts for the insurance company.
- Store camping gas properly: Choose a cool, well-ventilated and dry storage location away from open flames or combustible materials. Make sure it is stored in a stable position – ideally in the original packaging. Also check that the container is not damaged.
- Carry fire extinguishers and fire protection blankets within reach: Also regularly check that they are functional and familiarize yourself with how to use the devices.
- Keep flammable materials away from open flames: This starts with choosing the right location. This should be free of overhanging branches, dry grass or other easily combustible materials. In addition, a safe distance from the tent or mobile home should be maintained.
- Set up external fireplaces, grills and cooking areas securely and safely: keep away from plants, fences or other combustible things and choose stone or concrete as a base. You can also use fire protection mats or spark arrestors.
- Do not overheat fat and do not put out fat fires with water.
- Put out electrical fires with ABC powder, not water.
- Notify campsite owners or local authorities immediately if you notice a fire: the quicker the fire is reported, the quicker it can be put out.
- Insure the mobile home and its contents well
Tools for identifying hazards
Essential devices when it comes to protection against fire or asphyxiation are smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. With their ability to detect threats early and sound the alarm, they play a crucial role in security and can thus become lifesavers.A suitable smoke detector for on the go is the CAVIUS 2007PUP mini smoke alarm device. Mounted in the middle of the ceiling in the caravan or camper, it detects and reports smoke development at an early stage. It is only the size of a golf ball and has an integrated 3 V battery for long-term power supply. Although this cannot be removed, it has a service life of ten years. The bump test of alarms can be conveniently operated from below via a large, centrally positioned button – as can the ten-minute mute function. The additional LED display signals alarms, faults and operational readiness.
In addition to a smoke alarm, a carbon monoxide alarm can be just as important. Generators that you carry with you to generate electricity, a boiler or even a grill can be sources of carbon monoxide even outdoors. The gas is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon and acts as a respiratory poison in higher concentrations. The mini carbon monoxide detector KIDDE X10-D2 uses an electrochemical sensor to detect the colourless, odorless and tasteless gas at an early stage. Just like the mini smoke alarm, it has an LED display, a 10-year battery and an easy-to-reach test button.
Extinguish fires quickly and safely
Should an accident occur and a fire break out, campers must extinguish the fires that have broken out quickly and safely. The right tools, such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets, also help here.The fire extinguisher GLORIA P1DB is characterized by its handiness and by its compact size it fits into every vehicle. The powder fire extinguisher guarantees lightning-fast operational readiness, as it can be easily operated with one hand thanks to the handle opening. It can also be refilled after use.
A fire blanket such as the GLORIA GLD120 is also indispensable for open fireplaces such as campfires or grills. With dimensions of 120 x 120 cm, packed in a sturdy hard box with a perforated hanger, it is ideal for taking with you on vacation.
Conclusion: prevent and maintain regularly
In order to avoid fires, campers must equip their motorhomes in accordance with fire protection regulations. The products mentioned cover the most important areas of danger, such as the early detection of carbon monoxide and the effective extinguishing of fires. In addition to preventive fire protection when setting up recreational vehicles such as camper vans and caravans, it is also important to regularly check and maintain electronic devices and thus avoid malfunctions. If you take these aspects to heart, the risk of fire can be drastically reduced – the best prerequisites for a safe camping holiday.
You can find tips for power supply on camping holidays in our guide “Camping power supply requirements”.
Images: Adobe Stock
