Fire Safety Advice

On the 6th of May 2019, a motorhome caught fire at a petrol station in Fontwell, West Sussex. The fire spread across the forecourt of the petrol station, with nearby buildings being evacuated due to the danger it presented. It took almost two hours to put out the fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this incident. However, with the proper safety precautions, it could have been avoided in the first place.

Advice from our team:

We asked our knowledgeable sales team and technicians about how events like this can be avoided so that we can share it with all motorhome enthusiasts!

Here are some useful tips from our team about fire safety in your motorhome:

  • Firstly, and most importantly, always travel with your gas bottles off.
  • Having a gas safety check every year is a must.
  • Don’t make DIY custom adjustments to your motorhome if you are not qualified – always seek a specialist.
  • Make sure a fire extinguisher is in view with easy access, not hidden in a cupboard.
  • Do not fight the fire. Getting to a safe distance is more important. Fire extinguishers in motorhomes are designed to put out a fire on a person, not a large fire.
  • Do not go back to your motorhome for valuable items, it is not worth risking harm.
  • Some motorhomes come with safety details for that specific model so take the time to go through this information
  • Most motorhomes do not come with fire alarms and CO2 alarms as standard. Fire extinguishers are also not a standard on many motorhomes but having one is essential.

Southdowns Motorhome Centre fits all new vehicles with fire alarms and CO2 alarms to improve the safety of our customers. If you are in any doubt about the safety of your motorhome please contact our service department on 02392 674820.

We hope that these tips are useful and can help you enjoy your motorhoming experience, without the dangers of fire hazards. Remember, a few simple checks and precautions can save lives. These incidents are rare, but we must be prepared for them.