Having just been on our first camping trip I have to say it was fab, HOWEVER we also noticed our brand new tent IS NOT inflammable! I am now worried to death about going again, especially as I have read on here that it only takes approx 1 minute to burn a tent down. We are careful but what if we are asleep and ash from someone elses bbq blows onto it? Is it law that they have to be fireproof? Do fires happen often? Should we get rid? I`m gutted.
In 30+ years of camping and 14 years of helping to run my family's campsite (I started young!) I have only witnessed 2 fires. Both caused by people being stupid with gas canisters for lanterns.Incorrectly fitting them or fitting them when there were other naked lights!
Fires are very, very rare but if they happen they can be dramatic. Always ensure you know where the fire point is at the site and what equipment is available.
if you are really worried you could always take a small fire extinguisher.
I have always felt that the real worry with barbecues is the hot ash making minute holes in your fly sheet that let the rain in and not with setting your tent alight.
When the people opposite us took their camping gaz cylinder off while the gas was still alight I didn't even have time to get out of my chair much less as far as the fire bucket before their tent was fully alight. I would never cook in a small tent.
------------- Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
I wouldnt cook in a tent either, we are taking a gazebo and windbreakers, rather be outside, all be it damp or what ever, then stressing over one of the kids knocking into the stove
Quote: Originally posted by charliebobs on 18/07/2005
We are careful but what if we are asleep and ash from someone elses bbq blows onto it?
Its a possibility, although I have not heard of a tent catching fire that way myself, although I do know of cases where hot cinders have melted holes in nylon tents.
Is it law that they have to be fireproof?
No, and I cant see how you could make nylon f'ireproof' anyway.
Once the ash has blown a few feet in the wind it has lost most of its fire power anyway. We just make sure the BBQ is far enough from the tent to not be a problem to us or our neighbours.
not only gas cylnders are to blame candles are aswell have posted what happend to me in a tent when i was 18 it in fire drills section to cut a long story short i hate spending money i was to mean to buy a 6 volt lantern battery so used candles instead trip to the toilet when i got back you can imagine the rest luckley no one was with me and no one pitched next to me a burnt out tent worried campers angry parents who had to come and pick me up a nights sleep lost as well as my tent im greatfull thats all i lost alesson learned the hard way
But as has been said, tent fires are rare. Be sensible, think ahead as to what you could do in an emergency and then don`t worry too much. You`ve got far more chance of having a road accident driving to the campsite.
hi charliebobs, don't be put off but do be prepared! i sleep with a sharp knife to hand to cut our way out of the tent in an emergency - just slash the fabric if you need to get out quickly. Also, we never use any gas appliances in the tent once the bedrooms are occupied.
I should imagine that the tent fabric will be flame retardant, which would give a certain degree of protection against things like ash from BBQs.
Do thinks like keeping a fire bucket and fire extinguisher handy. Sleep with a sharp knife in the sleeping compartment. In an emergency you won't care about slashing your tent.
Another vote for the fire bucket, and it's a multifunctional piece of kit. The CCC tell you to have one, but I have to say on the site last weekend I saw very few and those were outside the older well used tents. As BBQs raged all over the site I filled my bucket first before putting the tent up. So please everyone get yourselves a bucket. We could stick our UKCS CAR STICKERS on them and start a new trend.
------------- Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: *Tent fires*
