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Hi,

 I am new to camping but i always have a Fire Extinguisher close to hand, one inside the tent and my family know where to locate it and how to use it, no good having one and you been the only one to use it, never cook inside and never ever SMOKE hope this help, you can buy fire extinguishers from any good store

fire extinguisher in the car and another one in the tt

Hi Archery63, its good to see someone considering the danger of fire beforehand.

Fire Supression systems is the field I work in which really makes you aware of the dangers, especially when camping or at barbeques, when the focus is more on enjoyment rather than totally on safety

My advice to you and other campers is:-

Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher stored in a very visible place is a must.

Always fill a dedicated fire bucket with water to stand outside close by.tell the kids to leave well alone

Keep a fire blanket close to hand when cooking.

Make sure the person who is changing or using gas knows what they are doing and understands the different gasses and fittings

Keep  naked flames or heater/lantern away from all flamibles.

Keep all matches, naked lights and heaters away from kids.

Make sure you and your friends know exactly what to do with the extinguisher or fire blanket in case you have a fire incident.

Finally - if you have a fire before you do anything think "can you tackle it safely" "have you got a safe exit" in case it goes out of control.

If in doubt walk away in safety. You can always buy another, but generally burns dont fix.

Along as you are aware of the danger of fire on your camp and take the above precautions then you limit the chances of ever having to face a fire incident. 

I like this one

A stanly knife in one of the pockets in the bed area. If there is a fire the quickest exit is the one you make..........

But not this

Dry powder NEVER if you use it in a confined space of a TT you will suffocate if you must try then use a water one.

Do not fight it you will not have a chance in hell in putting it out....... Get out and stay out.

Archery 63

Before you consider the advice on water extinguishers please ask yourself why do caravan, camper and folding tent manufacturers supply dry powder extinguishers as standard with their equipment?

Because generaly there will be electrics, liquid fuels and gases present, as well as woods paper, when camping and dry powder is suitable for class A,B & C fires

Water is only suitable on class A

See below

• Class A fires - are fires involving organic solids like paper, wood, etc
• Class B fires - are fires involving flammable Liquids.
• Class C fires - are fires involving flammable Gasses
• Class D fires - are fires involving Metals .

Unless you have been trained in using a fire extingusher and know where to aim them for correct and most efficient use, dont bother. In a tent anyway, by the time you have found the extingusher, and in the panic activated it, the flames would have taken a good hold. Just get out and well away, dont forget gas cylinders are also likely to be present.

 Tents and equipment are replacable, lives are not.

I like the idea of keeping a knife in the pocket as it was said it’s only a tt it can be replaced lives cant.

I already keep a knife in the tent but I’ve been toying with the idea of a fire extinguisher I think I’ll get two one for the tt and one for the car as the one in the car will come in handy for travelling.

As for the water most camp sites keep fire hoses near by so that can be handy once everybody’s out and safe and the plug for the electricity pulled out

Thank to everybody for the advice it’s been very interesting with the different points of view