Fire Bucket - Do you put one out?

[RobP]

Have noticed that on most sites there is a mixture of people who stand a fire bucket at the front of their outfit. Am intrigued to know people's views on this tradition, especially if it has saved someone's weekend.

I would class myself as safety conscious. I have the fitted smoke alarm, a CO alarm and a fire extinguisher. I usually turn off the gas and water pump when we go out. Perhaps I need a red bucket as well?

 

[Simon Burton]

Yes, and I've had to use it on somebody else's trailer tent. But I also keep a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in the van.

 

[sparkes]

On our holidays we don't as we have a fire blanket and an extinguisher in the van as well as an extinguisher in the car. On rallies we do just in case it can help

 

[Angela_5076436]

Have to say we don't use one - just have all the stuff in the caravan - smoke alarm , Extinguisher and Blanket too.

OOH - and we did have a fire from a leak from our Electrolux camping fridge some many years back - at about 3 am and we had to quit the Chateau Mobile trailer tent through the site of the fire too.

Didn't stop the holiday - though we had to be totally re-canvased and have a new end wall

 

[LMH]

Hi Angela

I have a fire blanket and smoke alarm in my caravan. Personally, I wouldn't use a fire bucket and sand, too bulky and makes a mess, however, I wouldn't deter anyone from using this method.

I shall be buying a CO2 extinguisher which is general purpose and adequate for a caravan. The cylinder is red but the label is black.

For useful advice - go to:

www.firekills.gov.uk

click on 'fire safety leaflets' then click on 'fire safety: protect your caravan or mobile home from fire'.

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Sorry - should have read 'Hi RobP'.

Lisa

 

[Oldfogey]

Buckets of water might be a good idea for a tent - but most caravans nowadays are on hookup, and I'm not convinced by the idea of chucking water over a mains system.

 

[Gary_5103709]

We always have a firebucket as we mainly use C & CC THS sites and even on secluded sites we use them as you never know and you should be prepared for all events. Gary

 

[emmerson2]

All Royale owners club members are requested to put out a fire bucket, placed near the drawbar. The only snag I find is that my dog drinks out of it!Like LMH, I too have all the kit inside the van, but what if you're out and your (or next door's) awning catches fire? It takes very little effort, and just could be a life saver.

 

[mistralse]

Putting a bucket (full)next to the draw bar is standard procedure on C&CC rallies.

 

[Viking1]

we do not put a firebucket out as ower son would be tip it other all the time but we have got a fire extinguisher and I ham look in to get a fire blanket.

Mark

 

[rob_jax]

Yes. A fire bucket full of water works on awning fires and the time Brenda burnt her hand - plunged it straight into the cool water in the bucket.

1 kg CO2 fire extinguisher and fire blanket - don't rely on the CO2 extinguisher as it doesn't last too long but will help you and others exit a caravan.

Robert

 

[Mikey1]

Our Centre has the rule that you must put your fire bucket filled with water outside the front of your van.

On holiday in France one year a caravanner not on the Rally caught their awning alight.16 people ran to their aid all carrying buckets of water,we saved the whole thing going up in flames.They would have lost the lot if it wasnt for the buckets.They were very grateful all the damage they had was a lost panel from the awning and a few burn marks.

Just remember it always happens to someone else and dont rely on other people to help always be prepared.

 

[RobP]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like having a Fire Bucket is as much for your benefit as others, so in the spirit of a good neighbour I will look into getting one.

So where did you buy yours from?

I wonder if its worth putting a label with emergency contact details on the bucket, in case something happens to your outfit whilst your off-site?

 

[rob_jax]

Fire bucket - Easy - B&Q - 99 pence for an orange bucket

Robert

 

[gforce]

I ditto the B&Q bucket. We stuck a label on it for good meaure! Red fire buckets in Towsure are 5.99

 

[Garfield]

My initial reaction to this post was that one bucket of water is hardly likely to be of much use untill I read Mikey's post, all for one and one for all, I'll be upping my fire precautions.

You should not worry about throwing water onto a caravan that is hooked up to the mains because the site outlet is usually protected by an rcd so too is the caravan so even if you had an earth rod in one hand and touched the live terminals with the other (DO NOT TRY THIS!!!!!!) you would only get a brief jolt lasting less than 1/10th of a second before the rcd disconnects the supply, if it was me I wouldn't even bother to put the bucket down to unplug the mains lead, a small easily extingushable fire can turn into total destruction in that time.

 

[trucker]

I must confess that I do not us a fire bucket.

When we were in France 4 weks ago, we saw a caravan with a fire bucket outside so I set off to count how many had them as I remembered this post from April.

I could not find another caravan with a fire bucket out front, so the practice is very limited. I do howver carry a fire extingiser and blanket

Kevin H

 

[CarolineSimon]

C & CC rally rules say that everone must have a firebucket full of water outside their unit by the towhitch.

The dog also has a sneaky drink now & again so we have to keep topping it up!

Ours has a family of yellow rubber ducks that the children put in it for fun, but we have seen proof that they work when a trailer tent went up at a rally & all nearby grabbed a bucket & saved most of the trailer & stopped the fire spreading to the next units.

We do also have fire blanket, co2 extinguiser & smoke alarm on board.

We just assumed that everyone did the fire bucket thing as its second nature to us now & were quite surprised that not everyone did.

 

[VonRyan]

Hi,

Yes always have the red fire bucket by the A frame, also have blue extinguisher and blanket in side the van. I have never had to use the bucket in an emergency but has been used for cleaning mussels and various other tasks. Costs very little and could save lives and lots of heartache. Member of both CC and C&CC clubs and seems to be more of a C&CC policy.

Rob

 

[Rita1]

We always put a fire bucket (well watering can ) by towball even if we are the only ones on site

I have used it to help put a tent fire out and had there been more about the contents of tent could have been saveed

The watering can is also useful for filling the loo top tank

Ask any fire officer if he thinks fire buckets are a good idea

On our 1st ever camping rally we where told to put a fire bucket out said we not got spare one so we where loaned one And told its for everybody's use in case of fire

 

[Surfer]

I think that a fire bucket is a bit of a joke unless every one has one. Unfortunately you will always get some idiot that will throw water onto a chip pan fire thus causing more damage that previously.

If your box on wheels is going to burn, let it and claim off the insurance for a new one after all it is only a box on wheels that can be replaced but then again you should not be careless with fire near the awning or caravan.

If I see a caravan start to burn I am a coward and disappear in the opposite direction. Have you even seen a gas canister or bottle blow and the damage it can do especially to those trying to put out a fire with their water buckets?

However if you enjoy putting your bucket outside so be it as it gives you some sort of security and satisfaction and it is your life and you are there to enjoy and not worry about others.

 

[VonRyan]

Well Ian.

I do not agree with your self centered thoughts! If I can help another brother or sister camper or caravaner out with a simple bucket of water if their awning is on fire I will do so.

If they have a chip pan fire I would access the situation and use a fire blanket or the recommended extinguisher such as blue(powder) or black(Co2)if safe to do so if they have not done so!.

Another persons well bought van and canvas has been well paid for and should be respected and preserved where possible. We can all carry out a risk assessment very easily and say its getting close to the gas bottles and lets clear out! but for Gods sake don't ignore, it may not only effect them but others!!!. A little thought could save money,but more so lives!

The caravaning community has this natural bond to communicate and look after each other, If you don't agree with this sentiment I suggest you find another hobby?

Rob

 

[CarolineSimon]

Well said Rob!

Clearly Ian doesn't rally or belong to a club or he would know about fire buckets and the club rules that say you must put one out as mentioned in a lot of the previous posts.

Anyway how many people have chip pans at home these days, let alone in their Caravan? That's just bonkers plain & simple!

Lets home he & his are never in the situation of needing any jokers' fire bucket to help them out.

PS

Security & satisfaction have got b****r all to do with a fire bucket and sarcasm gets you no friends. Rules are rules exactly the same as the " No ball games" CC rules. Agree or disagree its up to you but the rules will still be there for the greater good of others.

Hope you have paid up on your insurance policys though.

 

[Claire_374227325]

With ref to Ians comments, I can understand that if all occupants are out of the caravan, and the caravan is engulfed, then I agree, let it burn. The risk to life on a no hoper is not worth it. BUT, if there is a small fire, be it awning or van, then I would be one of the first with my bucket!

So Ian, if my child was drowning in the sea, would you be a coward and run the other way, just in case an undercurrant gets you?