Fire Safety in Your Park Home

Being relaxed and secure as you enjoy life is made easier if you know you have done all you can in terms of fire safety in your park home. Park homes are not bricks and mortar and so fire precautions in park homes take a little extra thought.

Fire detection in park homes

First make sure you can detect a fire if one occurs. A smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide detector are essential items in any park home. Regularly check that these are working and their power supply is safe. Change batteries regularly if they are battery operated and check the mains connections.

Fire prevention in park homes

Outside 

  • With a park home, equal attention has to be paid to the exterior as to the interior. In general, make sure the exterior is kept tidy and neat. This can help prevent fire starting at your park home or spreading from a neighbouring home to yours.
  • Do not let debris and clutter get under your park home. Regularly check beneath the chassis to make sure there is no build-up of dry vegetation or rubbish. This is especially important in dry summer weather.
  • If you replace or fit new boards or roofing on your park home, or add awnings, check that you are using suitably fire-retardant materials, paints and treatments.
  • If you do add an awning, check with the park owner that you are within the safe distance (usually 6m) from your neighbours to prevent fire spreading.
  • Make a note of where the fire hydrants are, it may save valuable time if the fire service is ever needed.
  • Always store fuel outside. Ideally, secure it with quick-release straps so that it can be moved quickly if necessary. Regularly check seals and valves and that disconnected cylinders are shut.
  • Find out if there is a nearby public telephone in case mobiles get left behind.
  • Make a note of where the electricity supply to your park home can be shut off from the outside.
  • If you have a barbecue outside, make sure you are a safe distance from your park home and your neighbours.

Inside your park home

  • Always keep a 1kg dry-powder fire extinguisher somewhere visible. It is also a good idea to keep a fire-blanket near the cooker.
  • Familiarise yourself with how to use the extinguisher and remember not to use it on burning fat or oil. The fire blanket should be used on fat or oil fires.
  • Make sure all air vents are clear. Check them regularly. This helps prevent fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Check hinges and handles on windows and doors are all working ok, so that you do not hinder an escape. Be careful with bags and other items on the floor for the same reason.
  • Switch off everything when not in use and especially before going to bed or if you are leaving your park home. Pay particular attention to heaters and the cooker.
  • Do not overload sockets. Do not pack cables too tightly as they can overheat.
  • Do not leave children unattended. Keep lighters and matches safely away from children.
  • Avoid smoking inside.
  • Do not leave pans unattended on your hob.
  • Get your gas and electrical appliances and connections checked each year by a registered Gas Safety engineer and replace any appliances where necessary.
  • If you smell gas, switch off any gas appliances, shut off the gas at the main cylinder valve. Contact a gas engineer and the site owner.
  • Don’t cover electric heaters with clothing, towels or sheets to dry. Be aware of cushions and bedding draping or falling to the floor near heaters.

In the event of a fire

  • Fire can move very quickly in a park home. This advice should help you stay calm and do the right things to keep you and your loved ones safe.
  • If fire breaks out have a plan.
  • Know where your fire extinguisher and fire blanket are.
  • Know how you will get out of the park home if your way to one door is blocked. If this means climbing through a window, make sure this is possible or the assistance you may need is readily available. If you have mobility problems, try and take this into account and give yourself enough time to raise the alarm and to get out.
  • Get everyone out of the home immediately. This is the case even if you think you can deal with the fire.
  • Disconnect all fuel cannisters and shut off the electricity to your park home if it is safe to do so. If it is safe, move any cylinders or cannisters to a safe distance away from your park home.
  • Call the fire service.
  • Once everyone is safely out, don’t go back in.
  • Alert the park owner and your neighbours.

The information provided here are just suggestions of what you could do to prevent a fire but they are not exhaustive and do not replace any information provided to you by the fire brigade or your insurance company to remain under the protection of your policy.

This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of residential park home insurance.  If you would like to speak to an advisor regarding insurance for your park home, please contact our friendly team in our Northampton office on 01604 946 796.

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Published – 08/04/21