Firefighters urge boaters to get onboard
Warwickshire County Councils Fire and Rescue Service are urging boat owners to sign up for a free boat fire safety check during Boat Fire Safety Week between 31st May and the 6th June.
The national campaign, which was created by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with the Boat Safety Scheme, aims to persuade boaters to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed and to think about how they would escape should a fire occur.
During the week, fire crews in Stratford will be visiting boat owners to offer them a free boat fire safety check. The aim of the checks are to give people the opportunity to assess potential fire hazards and then reduce the risk by installing smoke alarms and ensuring that LPG cylinders are stored in the correct way.
Watch Manager, Mark Styzacker said,
“Although boat fires are less common than house fires, when they do occur, they can have devastating consequences because of the confined air space, the amount of combustible materials and difficult escape routes. The early warning of the spread of toxic smoke is extremely important for boaters who are asleep aboard. Having a working smoke alarm can literally mean the difference between life and death.”
Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Councillor Richard Hobbs said:
“The boat fire safety campaign is an initiative that Warwickshire can really be proud of. Since its launch in 2006, hundreds of boats owners have been made safer. However, nationally there have been five deaths on boats in the last few years and a number of near misses. In a bid to reduce this, we are urging residents to think carefully about their safety and take us up on our offer of a free boat fire safety check.”
The most common causes of fire on boats include:
* Petrol vapour coming into contact with an ignition source resulting in fire/explosion
* Incorrectly installed heating appliances, some of which are do-it-yourself installations
* Candles / cigarettes etc positioned in proximity to combustible materials
Boat owners can make themselves safer, by following a few simple steps. These include;
* Fit a suitable smoke alarm
* Make a fire escape plan
* Take extreme care when refuelling with petrol or changing gas cylinders
* Avoid using portable gas equipment onboard, where possible, and store all gas canisters in special gas lockers or open places where any leaks will flow overboard
* Take care when doing repairs, and keep interiors well ventilated if you’re using adhesives, paints and spirit based products
For more information on how to book a Free boat safety check call 01926 410800 or log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue . Alternatively for further information about boating fire safety, log onto http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com