There will be a another boat fire safety talk on Monday 1st February 2016 at 7.30pm at the Cross Guns, Avoncliff, BA15 2HB. More are planned.
Colin Owens from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service rural safety team said that the talks had been planned before the tragic death of a man in a boat fire in Bradford on Avon on 10th January.
“We have been focusing a lot of our prevention activity on boaters along the Kennet and Avon Canal since last summer, both with presentations and also firefighters travelling along the towpaths on bikes to give fire safety advice where required. The pub talks had been planned for the coming few months anyway; however, with the recent tragic loss of life still fresh in people’s minds, we decided to bring them forward.”
Boat Fire Safety talk at the Bridge Inn, Horton
He added: “While boats are a lovely way to travel and live, they do carry a very high fire risk. We want to help boaters to protect themselves, which is why we’re holding these free events in pubs along the length of the canal.”
Among the top tips that firefighters will be sharing with boaters are:
*Fit a suitable smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm.
*Make a fire action plan.
*Take extreme care when refuelling with petrol or changing gas cylinders.
*Avoid using portable gas equipment on-board, where possible, and store all gas canisters in special gas lockers or open places where any leaks will flow overboard.
*Routinely check items such as battery terminals and fuse box connections for damaged strands or signs of overheating.
*Take care when doing repairs, and keep interiors well ventilated when using adhesives, paints and spirit based products.
If you can’t get to any of the talks, you can contact Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service on 01380 732972 to arrange a boat fire safety visit. For more information contact info@boatingcommunity.org.uk or 07928 078208.
Here is a poster to print and display in your boat window or on the towpath boat fire safety talk leaflet4 Avoncliff A4
See also http://www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/boatsafety
Tags: Avoncliff, boat fire safety, Fire safety, liveaboards, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service