The boat fire safety advisor from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will be visiting boaters along the Kennet & Avon Canal as part of boat safety week next week. Rob Buckland, who used to live on a narrowboat, will be travelling along the Wiltshire stretch of the canal between May 31 and June 5 to offer free fire safety advice and free smoke detectors to boaters. He will also be giving advice on the dangers to boat users from carbon monoxide. Mr Buckland said: “As well as taking into account fire safety on the boat, we urge boaters to ensure that they know their location at all times so that, in the event of any emergency, we can get there as soon as possible.”
Advice on general boat fire safety includes:
- Fitting a suitable smoke detector;
- Making a fire action plan;
- Taking extreme care when refuelling with petrol or changing gas cylinders;
- Avoiding using portable gas equipment on-board, where possible, and storing all gas canisters in special gas lockers or open places where any leaks will flow overboard;
- Checking items such as battery terminals and fuse box connections routinely for damaged strands or signs of overheating;
- Taking care when doing repairs, and keeping interiors well ventilated when using adhesives, paints and spirit-based products;
- Always keeping your eye on a solid fuel stove when it’s lit and trying to avoid leaving the boat with the stove running.
To arrange a boat fire safety visit, call Rob Buckland on 07734 483880 or email rob.buckland@wiltsfire.gov.uk. Or just stop and chat to him as he makes his way along the towpath.
Tags: Fire safety, Wiltshire