FIREFIGHTERS are issuing safety advice to holidaymakers staying in a tent or caravan this summer.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is also urging people to dispose of rubbish responsibly by throwing it away in bins or by taking it home, and not to light open fires.

Smokers are also advised never to throw cigarette ends out of car windows as they can also start a fire.

Kent Fire and Rescue’s head of community safety, Stuart Skilton, said: “Holidays should be an enjoyable time for all the family but some outdoor activities, such as camping, can bring risks.

“Fires in tents and caravans can spread very quickly, prevention is the key.

“A fire can destroy a tent in less than 60 seconds so avoid using naked flames inside your tent.”

He continued: “We all hope for a long hot summer but every year fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats.

“Some fires are started deliberately, but most are due to carelessness.

“Follow our simple safety advice and hopefully your trip will go smoothly and be trouble free.”

Tents

  • Ensure tents and caravans are at least six metres apart and away from parked cars, to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
  • Keep a torch handy for emergencies – never use lighted candles.
  • Keep cooking appliances away from the tent walls and never cook inside a small tent or near flammable materials or long grass; they can all set alight easily.
  • Make sure you know how to escape by cutting your way out of the tent it there’s a fire.
  • Make sure everyone knows how to put out clothing that’s on fire – stop, drop and roll.
  • Don’t smoke inside tents.
  • Make sure you know the campsite’s fire safety arrangements and check where the nearest telephone is.

Caravans

  • Fit and test a smoke alarm inside your caravan – optical alarms are usually most effective.
  • Take special care when cooking – don’t leave pans unattended.
  • Turn off all appliances before you go out or to bed.
  • Make sure ashtrays are made of a material that can’t burn or topple over – never smoke in bed.
  • Don’t dry clothes over the stove.
  • Remove any litter and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading.
  • Make sure the caravan is ventilated, and never block air vents, to avoid a build up poisonous gases.