Caravan owners urged to check smoke alarms and safety equipment

FIRE and Rescue NSW is urging caravan owners to check smoke alarms and safety equipment at home before hitting the road for the summer holidays.

By law, caravans in New South Wales must have at least one working smoke alarm inside the van near the bed and another one positioned in the annex if used as a sleeping area.

Caravans and campervans typically have limited escape options in the event of a fire, along with lightweight and combustible fittings.

Fire and Rescue NSW visited more than 160 caravans and replaced 75 faulty alarms and 20 missing batteries at a regional musical festival during the holidays last year.

“It’s not just the flames that can take your life, it’s also the toxic smoke that can render you unconscious and kill you during a fire,” a spokesperson said.

“You can’t smell when you’re asleep, so a working smoke alarm is your best warning option if a fire breaks out.”

“Just like at home, it’s also crucial you and your loved ones have a fire escape plan to get out of the caravan in the event of an emergency.

“There’s no excuse for complacency when it comes to fire safety, especially over summer”

Smoke alarms can be purchased at most major supermarkets and hardware stores across the state.

They are built to withstand the vibrations, temperature changes, and dust that are common in mobile environments, unlike standard household alarms.

The use of photoelectric alarms provides earlier detection of smouldering fires, which is crucial given the limited escape time in a caravan.

Other safety measures include, testing the alarm before each trip and once a week while in use.

Keeping gas cylinders secure and external, check gas pipes for damage, and not leaving cooking unattended.

Escape plans, fire extinguishers and a portable radio should also be used.

People are also encouraged to pre-plan for being out of mobile range by downloading the Emergency+ app for responders to access locations by GPS phone data.