Justice and Public Safety
August 4, 2015

Public Advisory: Take Steps to Minimize Your Risk of Fire and Injury at Cabins and Campgrounds

No matter the weather, many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians enjoy spending summer leisure time at their cabin or favourite campground. These settings provide unique fire and safety risks that families may not recognize. It is important that residents take the following steps to help ensure a safe and enjoyable stay:

Minimize the risk to your cabin or camp-site

  • Smoke alarms are not just for the home. At your cabin, install a smoke detector in every bedroom, outside every separate sleeping area, and on every level. In your camper, ensure you have adequate smoke alarm coverage;
  • Test your smoke alarms monthly if you can, or at least every time you return to the cabin. Always bring some batteries with you to replace dead ones;
  • Remember emergency responders may be quite some distance away from an isolated cabin or campground. Equip your cabin with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher located near an exit which you can also use to evacuate if needed;
  • Ensure every member of the family knows how to use the fire extinguisher; and

    • If your cabin has any fuel-burning appliance such as a generator, install a carbon monoxide detector. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may resemble simple fatigue and often are not obvious until it’s too late.

Maintain a comprehensive emergency plan

  • Develop a separate family evacuation and communications plan for the cabin to ensure everyone knows how to get out, where to meet, and how to stay in touch during an emergency; and
  • Consider your location and determine the easiest way to let others know how they can reach you if necessary. During an emergency, precious minutes could be lost if you don’t know how to accurately describe where your cabin is located.

Take safety precautions around open fires

  • If open fires are permitted, ensure your fire pit is built on bare soil or exposed rock. Any sort of vegetation beneath a fire pit can pose a wider fire risk;
  • Remove leaves, twigs, and other flammable refuse from your fire pit before building your fire. These items can cause your fire to rapidly grow and get out of control;
  • Always have enough water on hand to completely put out your fire before you light it;
  • Never leave an open fire unattended and always ensure it is completely out when you are finished. Smoldering fires can easily reignite and spread;
  • Clean chimneys, barbecues, and any heating appliances before using them and ensure leaves, twigs, and other flammable refuse is tidied up from the exterior of your cabin. These items can fuel a fire;
  • Check any power lines servicing your cabin to ensure they have not been damaged since your last visit; and
  • Drink responsibly. Alcohol is often consumed at the cabin and campground, even around open fires, which slows reaction times.

For more information about fire safety and emergency preparedness, visit the FES-NL website: www.gov.nl.ca/fes/index.html

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Media contact:
Ryan Crocker
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL)
709-729-0857, 682-5011
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca

2015 08 04                                                                      12:15 p.m.