Fire Safety Must-Knows from Fireco
Summer in Northland is all about sunny days, beach trips, barbecues, and adventures with family and friends.
Make sure your summer memories are all good ones. Whether you’re caravanning, boating, or camping under the stars, a small fire can quickly turn fun into fear, so take the right precautions to stay safe
Fireco is here to help you enjoy the season safely with practical fire prevention tips for Northland summer adventures.
Fire Safety for NZ Caravans & Sleep Outs:
Summer in Northland is all about sunny days, beach trips, barbecues, and adventures with family and friends.
Make sure your summer memories are all good ones. Whether you’re caravanning, boating, or camping under the stars, a small fire can quickly turn fun into fear, so take the right precautions to stay safe
Fireco is here to help you enjoy the season safely with practical fire prevention tips for Northland summer adventures.
Fire Safety for NZ Caravans & Sleep Outs:
Caravans and sleep-outs are fantastic for summer adventures, but they carry a much higher fire risk than a traditional home. Fireco and Fire Emergency NZ recommends these precautions to keep you and your family safe.
Smoke alarms are particularly important because caravans usually have only one door and limited windows, so early detection of fire is crucial – every caravan should have a long-life photoelectric smoke alarm. Test them before using your caravan, and if space allows, one near the cooking area. Many alarms feature a silence function to prevent false alarms while cooking, which is handy in such a small space!
For added safety, keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket close to the exit, and make sure you know how to use it. Never leave children alone in your caravan and always keep matches and lighters out of reach.
Also, because of the limited space and nature of people sleeping, be sure to ventilate the caravan or sleep out, and install a carbon monoxide detector. Proper ventilation is essential, especially when using gas cylinders for cooking or heating. Only use fixed heaters or safe oil column or fan heaters with a cut-off switch, and make sure furniture and fittings stay at least a metre away from any heat source. Because of limited space, candles should be avoided entirely. Electrical appliances should be in good condition, with no frayed cords, and caravans should hold a current Electrical Warrant of Fitness.
Fireco is here to help, find the fire safety gear you need for your caravan or sleep-out here.
Fire Safety Equipment for Boats in NZ:
Fires on boats can be especially hazardous. Early action is crucial to prevent engine or galley fires from spreading. Keep in mind that fire safety requirements vary by vessel size and risk level too, so check Maritime NZ’s rules and make sure your boat is safe.
For vessels under 6 metres, a 1-2kg portable fire extinguisher is recommended, while vessels between 6 and 12 metres should have a 2.5kg extinguisher. An ABE Dry Powder fire extinguisher is suitable for most fires and is recommended for boat usage, since it’s compatible with electric fires.
Any vessel with a petrol inboard engine must also have a working bilge blower to reduce fire risk. Fire blankets should be kept in the galley for quickly smothering cooking fires.
Your safety on the water doesn’t stop at fire protection either: your boat must also have a suitable first aid kit, and all people aboard should have appropriate life jackets. In NZ, life jackets must be worn while under way unless the skipper deems it safe not to.
Find fire extinguishers and fire blankets for your boat here.
Fire Safety for Northland Camping:
Camping is a highlight of a Northland summer, but camping gear like tents, gas cookers, and BBQs can pose serious fire risks if not managed properly.
To keep your campsite safe, keep an eye on the local fire watch status and follow all Department of Conservation or campground fire regulations – each campground will likely have their own rules, so be sure to learn these before lighting any campfires or BBQs.
When cooking, set up gas cookers or BBQs well away from tents, tarps, and other flammable materials. Always keep matches, lighters, and other fire-lighting gear out of children’s reach, and never leave flames or heat sources unattended. Before using a gas BBQ, check the cylinder and hoses for leaks, ensure connections are tight, and inspect the appliance for any signs of damage or wear. After cooking, make sure the BBQ is fully extinguished and cooled before leaving it unattended or storing it.
Every campsite should have an ABE dry powder extinguisher and a fire blanket on hand. The precautions might seem like overkill if you’re a regular camper, but accidents happen and these can help control an overturned BBQ, smother small fires, or provide emergency protection for other campers too.
By combining the right equipment and careful habits, you can camp safely and make the most of Northland summer.
Start Northland Summer with Fire Safety in Mind:
Before heading off on your summer adventures, make sure your fire safety gear is ready and that you know the “PASS code” for using extinguishers: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
With the right equipment and a few safety habits you can focus on making memories, not worrying about fire hazards.
For all your fire safety needs, reach out to the team at Fireco. Summer in Northland is better when it’s safe and worry-free.
