Booking your next self-catering holiday? Check it’s fire safe

If you’re planning a holiday in Lincolnshire or elsewhere, we want you to have a safe stay.

That’s why Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue recommend checking for fire safety when you are booking:

• Don’t assume it’s fire safe!
• Always ask what fire safety measures there are in your accommodation if it’s not clear at the time of booking.

If you provide accommodation for paying guests, there is legislation you must comply with. More information from the Home Office can be found here: Fire safety: guidance for the hospitality industry – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Self-catering accommodation, such as caravans, lodges, apartments and holiday lets can present fire safety issues, particularly to those with a disability or families with young children.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue recommend spending a few minutes when you arrive at your holiday accommodation, to check the following things.

• If there was a fire, how would you:

FIND OUT?

Are there smoke alarms fitted and do they work? Always test them.

GET OUT?

How would you and others get out safely? Which windows open and do they open far enough? Make sure any exits are not blocked.

PUT OUT?

Small fires could be put out with a fire extinguisher or fire blanket. Check where they are in your accommodation. Check if there are any other provisions to respond to a small fire such as buckets of sand or hoses. ALWAYS CALL 999 IN AN EMERGENCY.  

• If there’s gas in your accommodation for heating or cooking, there should be a carbon monoxide detector fitted.
• Raise any issues with the accommodation owner straight away.

The service also advises you to:

• Download the What3Words app – https://what3words.com This app gives your exact location a three-word reference which will allow emergency services to pinpoint exactly where you are in the case of an emergency.
• Be extra careful outside in the summer as hot, dry conditions mean that fires can start very easily. Dispose of anything hot like cigarette ends, barbeques or ashes very carefully, making sure they’re cool before they go in a bin, and don’t leave glass bottle in the sun as light can refract and cause a fire.
• Be aware of safety issues around open water. Water in the UK remains cold even on very warm days and if you enter water it could lead to cold water shock. Read our guidance on water safety here.
• Check out our other safety advice about cooking safely, electrical safety and caravan safety

Booking your next self-catering holiday?

• Don’t assume it’s fire safe!
• Always ask what fire safety measures there are if it’s not clear in the information at the time of booking.