Safety Concerns

Fire Buckets - the age-old conundrum: to have or to have not. The answer is always to have.
 I know that caravanners and others will argue that modern extinguishers and fire blankets are far superior. However, why do we have these devices? They are certainly not for fighting fires. So what are they for then? Quite simply, to save life.

 I can still clearly remember the safety courses I attended when I was my section's Safety Officer at the National Physical Laboratory. One of these was conducted by our own internal Fire Brigade and the local Fire Service. We all soon realized that hand-held equipment was severely limited in its effectiveness and reliability. Also, amateur operators took so much time finding out how to use them that the fire either became too fierce to tackle or went out on its own.

 In the context of camping, fires are often sudden and catastrophic. The chance of extinguishing them is slight and the dangers of being too close are many. Burns from plastic (a Dandy perhaps) are severe. What really matters is, that if a camper has burns or clothing on fire, as much water as possible is available for reducing the heat, and keeping things under control until professional help arrives.

 The best and most convenient way to provide this is for every unit to have a full bucket of water outside it. Thus anyone can give immediate help, and not just someone who can be found who happens to have an extinguisher of the correct type and knows how to use it. As we know, the wrong application can make the situation worse, and who of us will know or have the correct one when it matters. OK, the tent or caravan burns down. So what? That is why we all have adequate insurance, isn't it?

 The merit of water was also confirmed to me when our local gas supplies were being converted from coal to natural. A gas engineer was opening a valve when the gas ignited and a flame shot up 20 feet into the air setting light to his shirt and most of the skin on his back. He was rushed to the nearby Police Station and his back was bathed in a constant flow of cold water. This not only saved his skin but also prevented him dying of shock from such a serious injury.

 So, whilst taking advantage of modern devices, please also employ the humble Fire Bucket which may be of more use when you or your neighbours have a problem. This could include erupting barbecues, thirsty dogs, dirty potatoes, nose bleeds, sore feet and many other inconveniences.

 Remember, fire extinguishers are expensive and usually locked away when the owner is not on site. Fire buckets are always visible and available. No contest really.
 

 Harry Saunderson