Regular safety inspections and maintenance are essential with any type of property which uses gas and electrical appliances. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that static caravan safety inspections take place and are carried out at regular intervals.
This is one of the most important safety concerns involved in static caravan living. Gas is not only highly flammable, but it also has the additional risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and associated asphyxiation which can be fatal.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odourless and colourless gas which is formed when certain types of fuels do not burn completely, e.g. gas, oil, wood, coal etc. Exposure to carbon monoxide is typically caused by poor ventilation, or when appliances are incorrectly installed or not maintained properly. When it is breathed in, carbon monoxide enters the blood stream and mixes with the haemoglobin – the part of the blood responsible for carrying oxygen – when this mixes with haemoglobin, it forms carboxyhaemoglobin; this renders the blood unable to carry oxygen, causing the cells and tissue to die. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal and breathing in low levels can make the individual feel unwell resulting in symptoms such as headache, sickness, fatigue/confusion, stomach pain and shortness of breath.
Prolonged exposure can cause symptoms to worsen considerably and eventually result in unconsciousness and asphyxiation. Long term exposure can cause other types of neurological changes such as behaviour alteration, irrational decisions, depression, and irritation amongst others.
Appliances such as boilers, gas fires, water heaters, cookers, open fires, central heating systems can all cause carbon monoxide exposure. Regular gas safety checks and the installation of carbon monoxide detectors are essential to safety. Many static caravan parks will insist that all privately owned caravans are subject to annual safety checks as part of their own park regulations. Annual gas safety checks can be arranged with the local gas engineer and some park sites may request a copy of the certificate for their own records.
UK law states that owners of any type of rental property, including static caravans, are required to supply a safety certificate which must be made available to tenants when they move in, or within 25 days of the inspection.
Special care should be taken when handling gas cylinders due to the risk of leakage. When changing gas cylinders, it is important to make sure that the old cylinder is completely empty and that all cylinder valves are switched off before disconnecting. When attaching a new cylinder, this should be secure, and the connection must be complete before opening the valves. All spare or empty cylinders should be stored in a dry place outside, not in the caravan. In the event of a suspected gas leak, open all windows and doors, turn off the gas cylinder valve and any appliances, do not smoke and call an emergency gas engineer.
There are a number of useful electrical items which people take to static caravans for both practical and leisure purposes; although it may seem obvious, it is important to follow safety instructions in order to prevent electrical and heating fires. All electrical wiring and appliances should be in good working order and tested regularly by a qualified electrician – sockets and extensions should not be overloaded.
Plug-in electric heaters generally use high quantities of electricity and should be used correctly and purchased from a reliable retailer to ensure safety. Electric heaters should not be covered or used for drying clothes as this poses a fire risk – the area in which the heater is being used, should also be well ventilated.
For safety purposes, the following should be installed/observed:
Our 47-acre caravan park is located in one of the most scenic valleys in Wales and encloses forest walks that are rich in wildlife. The site offers a wide range of facilities, entertainment activities and social venues. We also have a range of static caravans for sale at various price points. For more information, get in touch today.
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