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Boat owners in Cumbria are being urged to take on board valuable life-saving fire safety advice next week.

The call comes from Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service and Windermere Lake Wardens, which have teamed up to mark Boat Fire Safety Week –24 to 31 May –by urging the boating community to be more fire safe.

Although boat fires on our coastal and inland waters are less common than fires on land, when they do occur, they can have devastating consequences. Boats are often in remote locations with difficult access, which may result in firefighters taking longer to arrive at an incident and allowing a fire to totally destroy a boat and everything onboard. 

With over 450,000 motorised boats in the UK, and a growth in boating on many inland waterways, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service is urging the boating population of Cumbria to check that their boats are equipped with the correct fire safety equipment. 

People who reside on their boats are most affected by fire, but many fires could be prevented if boat users take simple precautions. 

Brian Steadman, Station Manager for Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, said: "Smoke alarms make a difference to the outcome of fires on boats. We want to see smoke alarms suitable for boats installed in all boats with overnight accommodation.

"Many people use boats across Cumbria, particularly at this time of the year and in the summer months to come. Because of this, we urge all boat owners to take the safety advice of our Fire and Rescue Service."

"Anyone in doubt about the alarm they need should contact us our freephone number 0800 358 4777 for a free Boat Fire Risk Check. We are here to make sure your boat is as fire safe as possible."

The most important messages for boat owners to remember are:

- Fit a suitable smoke alarm

- Make a fire action plan

- Take extreme care when refuelling with petrol or changing gas cylinders

- Avoid using portable gas equipment onboard, where possible, and store all gas canisters in special gas lockers or open places so any leaks will flow overboard

- Check such items as battery terminals and fuse box connections routinely for damaged strands or signs of overheating

- Take care when doing repairs, and keep interiors well ventilated if you’re using adhesives, paints and spirit based products

- Always keep your eye on a solid fuel stove when it’s lit, try to avoid leaving the boat with the stove running.

For boats, optical sensor alarms with hush buttons and sealed-for-life batteries are recommended as are choosing those with a British Standard ‘Kitemark’ or a LPCB ‘Horseshoe’ mark. As with smoke alarms in the home, alarms should be tested regularly and should never be disconnected.

For further information about boating fire safety visit www.boatsafetyscheme.com/fire (external link)

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Chris Little on 01228 226334