Last updated: 09/07/2018, 6:17 PM

Brigade says carry on camping during fire strike week

08/08/2014 00:00
London-wide
Safety warnings

We're reassuring  Londoners that it's okay to 'carry on camping' in August so long as they take extra care especially during the Fire Brigades Union strike next week.

Firefighters will take industrial action between 12 to 2pm and 10.59 to 11.59pm over eight consecutive days starting on Saturday, 9 August. Contingency crews will not be attending grass fires unless there is a risk to life or property.

Camping safety tips

  • Never cook inside a tent
  • Keep cooking appliances- including barbecues- away from the tent walls, flammable materials or long grass as they could easily set alight
  • Don't smoke inside tents
  • Don't use petrol or paraffin to light a solid fuel stove
  • Choose a site where the grass has been cut short to minimise the risk of fire spread
  • Make sure you know how to escape if there is a fire and make sure you dial 999
  • Never bring disposable barbecues inside a tent as the carbon monoxide fumes can be fatal.

Open water

Parents should also keep an eye on their children especially when playing near water. Open water can be a lot colder and deeper than it looks and it is easy for even the most accomplished swimmer to get into difficulties.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said:

"Fires can destroy a tent in less than 60 seconds and because of the close proximity of surrounding tents, fires can easily spread. The strikes by the Fire Brigades Union should not stop anyone enjoying their holiday but if you're camping outdoors please don't cook inside a tent and make sure you dispose of barbecues when finished with."

Contingency

The Brigade has plans in place to provide a contingency level of emergency cover across the capital during the strike, and a fire engine will be sent to emergencies including fires in people's homes, vehicle fires, road accidents and collapsed buildings.

These plans were never intended to match the Brigade's day-to-day cover so while strike action is taking place a fire engine may not be sent to less urgent and non-life-threatening incidents. These could include rubbish fires (including fires in bins and skips), fires on open ground, animal rescues, flooding, people stuck in lifts and gas leaks.