Be safe no matter where your sleep.

Our home fire safety messages apply to all places you may sleep, not just houses. However, there are some special considerations you should also make for caravans, boats and other mobile property.

Smoke alarms

  • Tasmania Fire Service recommends that you have at least one working smoke alarm in all sleeping areas, including any annexes.
  • Special smoke alarms with a hush button are available for mobile properties, which will silence the alarm for a short period of time allowing the air to clear.
  • Also consider a carbon monoxide (C0) alarm in the cooking area.

Gas cylinders

  • Turn off all gas cylinders during towing or when a mobile home engine is on.
  • Keep gas cylinders outside unless a properly designed storage cupboard has been fitted.
  • Turn off all appliances not being used before going to bed.
  • Gas cylinders, pipes and fittings should be checked regularly, particularly after driving on country roads.

Storage

  • Store all clothes and bedlinen away from the cooking area.
  • Store all flammable liquids outside a caravan or mobile home.
Caravans and boats
Caravans, boat and mobile property fact sheet
Caravan fire blanket

Ensure you have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. They should be located near an exit where they are easily accessible and where exiting is also an option

Extension cord

Ensure that the extension lead for connecting\ electricity supply to your mobile property is in good condition suitable for the current load.

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DO NOT use a gas or coal barbecue inside a caravan or the cabin of a boat.

Boat fire safety

  • Carry a general purpose dry powder fire extinguisher on board at all times and keep it in a readily accessible location.
  • If your boat has a sleeping area make sure you have a working smoke alarm fitted and check it regularly.
  • Store spare fuel safely, away from ignition sources. Check fuel lines and connections for leaks, and refuel safely.

If there is a fire on board:

  • STOP the boat immediately to prevent moving air from fanning the flames
  • PUT ON Personal flotation devices (PFDs)
  • CLOSE hatches, vents and ports to reduce oxygen supply in confined spaces, if safe to do so
  • DIRECT your dry powder fire extinguisher at the base of the flames. Only fight the fire if safe to do so
  • NEVER allow the fire to get between you and the cabin exit.

Marine and Safety Tasmania have valuable information about boat safety and fires, including equipment you should have. Visit mast.tas.gov.au

Boat safety

REMEMBER Be safe not sorry. If you detect a strong smell of gas, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for the fire service.

Hot tips

  • Fire escape plans aren’t just for houses. You should consider how you would escape mobile property in the event of a fire.
  • Heat sources and flammable material don’t mix. In tighter spaces, it’s even more important that you consider where you store flammable material.
  • If you are going on a trip away from home in a caravan or mobile property, tell a family member, friend or neighbour where you are going.