Check List

Essentials:
Tent        Click here for more information on Tents
Tent pegs
Ground sheet
Roll mats/air beds
Air Pump for airbeds
Sleeping bags
Pillows
Mallet or Hammer
Spare Tent Rubbers
Repair Kit
Fire Extinguisher or Fire Blanket

General equipment:
Cool box & Ice Packs
Backpack
Torch
Batteries
Mobile phone
In-car mobile phone charger
First aid kit
Travel alarm/clock
Clothes line and pegs
Chairs/tables
Rubbish bags
Baby Wipes
Water Carrier / Empty pop bottle
Kitchen roll / a cloth



 

Hygeine:
Hand towel
Bath towel
Deodorant
Shower gel
Shampoo/Conditioner (2 in 1 to save space)
Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toilet rolls
Shaving equipment

Tip's For The Campsite

•  For all tent campers, decide first where you are placing your tent and use the pointers below to guide you for safe camping.
•  Do not place your tent in a low-lying area for flooding purposes.
•  Do not place your tent under a tree.
•  Plan ahead before a camping trip. Be prepared to treat injuries and allergies.
•  Have a first-aid kit which includes treatments for food and insect allergies.
•  Ensure that each child is at a safe distance from the fire.
•  Teach children camping safety. Keep sand or water near the campfire to put out the fire.
•  Always go with a friend or family member when leaving the campsite and let an adult know when you are leaving and when you'll be back.
•  Try to avoid wearing fragrances and bright colours. They can attract wasps.
•  Food attracts wild animals and insects. If possible, store it in a cooler in your car, not in your tent.

Fire Safety

Gas Appliances

•  Change disposable gas cartridges only when completely empty.
•  When changing cartridges and cylinders, do so in the open air, away from any ignition source.
•  When an appliance is not in use, the cylinder should be turned off at the valve.
•  Ensure that flexible pipes are securely clipped and do not leak.

Liquid fuel Appliances

•  Avoid using appliances fuelled by petrol, if possible and ensure the correct fuel is used.
•  Filling and lighting should be carried out in the open air. All fuel used should be stored in a cool place away from combustibles, and in the correct containers.
•  Remember, hot weather will cause fuel to evaporate! The fumes will follow ground contours and may travel a long way unobserved.
•  Ensure that your group know the location of the telephone to call the Emergency Services.
•  Ensure that your group know the location of the nearest fire point and how to use the equipment provided.

Cooking

•  Site cookers away from the entrance of your tent.
•  Only cook in tents which have a designed 'kitchen area'.
•  Ensure your cooker is stable and not likely to tip over.
•  Keep flammables including long grass away from the cooking area.

Warning following accounts of CO poisoning in holiday homes, tents and boats and Caravans

The deaths of two couples have shown that travellers can be at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in all sorts of accommodation

Every year CO poisoning results in deaths and injuries with faulty gas appliances in homes the main culprits. However, tourists are also being warned to look out for 'freak' CO dangers that could spell death or injury this summer, with people having fallen foul of the gas on boating holidays and camping breaks.

A Bristol couple suffered a fatal bout of poisoning during a camping trip to Brean, Somerset. A paraffin heater and barbecue were found inside the couple''s tent and a lack of ventilation meant CO fumes had accumulated. The bodies were discovered the next morning. A Warwickshire couple died in their narrow boat on the Grand Union Canal after they blocked up a vent with card to stop a draught. CO fumes from their heating system built up and were not allowed to disperse due to the blocked-up vent. "Dubbed the ''silent killer'', carbon monoxide is a gas that has no colour, smell or taste and is highly dangerous.

Although it's rare, CO poisoning can strike when any fuel-burning appliance is used in a confined space. So people should avoid or use with extreme care when taking equipment such as camping heaters, gas lamps and charcoal grills in places like tents, camper vans and boat cabins.

Our advice is to know the signs and symptoms and be aware of ways to keep your family safe. As an added precaution, pack a British Standard-approved CO detector in your suitcase along with the suntan lotion.

Danger signs include:

Spillage stains, soot and discolouring around water heaters and cookers Flames that burn yellow or orange when they should be blue Unusual smells are obvious signs that appliances may have been neglected or haven''t been checked properly

 

Caravans and Camping
When caravanning, or camping make sure you take appropriate fire safety precautions when you arrive

Find out what the fire-fighting arrangements on the campsite are and where the nearest telephone is.
Keep a torch handy for emergencies. Don't use a lit candle.
Fit a smoke detector in your caravan.
Keep caravans and tents at least 6 metres apart.
LPG Cylinders (Bottled Gas)
Always treat LPG gas cylinders with care :

Change cylinders in open air.
Make sure the appliance controls and cylinder valve are turned off before you change the cylinder.
If you think there might be a gas leak in the cylinder connection or pipes - extinguish all naked flames, brush soapy water over all the joints and then look for bubbles. Tighten (but do not over tighten) leaky joints.
Always ensure LPG regulator is compatible with your appliances.
Unless designed to be left on, ensure all appliances are turned off when not in use.
In the event of fire :

Get everyone to safety.
Turn off gas cylinders if it is safe to do so.
Raise the alarm and call the Fire Service on 999.
Do not take risks.
Get out, call the Fire Service out, stay out.

These are Guidelines issued by the Hamps Fire Service
 

Top tips for Trouble free First Time Towing Holidays:

Consider taking a manoeuvring course, such as those run by The Camping and Caravanning Club, and practice towing, reversing and parking your loaded caravan.

Be aware of the affects of sidewinds on stability, and don’t overload your caravan at the back; that can lead to ‘snaking’ and possible accidents.

Practice jacking the car and caravan up before going on the trip, and make sure you know how to change a tyre or light bulb on each vehicle.

Get your car/caravan serviced, paying attention to the brake pads, linings and tyres. Make sure you have a complete spare tyre/wheel combination for the caravan.

Check the condition of the caravan’s battery and check all electrical connections and make sure they work. In particular, check all road lighting functions.

Make sure your car’s towing bracket is sound and bolts are tightened to manufacturer's specification. Clean the towball and caravan hitch socket.

Carry the correct safety kit for the countries you are driving in; in most countries on the Continent you must carry a reflective warning triangle and spare bulb, and a fuse kit is another invaluable item. You can find a list of European countries and their specific safety requirements on www.europ-assistance.co.uk. Take a first aid kit and torches, and pack fluorescent jackets for all occupants; these could be lifesavers.

Be aware of the speed limits and regulations regarding documentation, lights, passengers etc that apply in the country/ies you travel in. Remember to take your driving licence and your car’s logbook (vital for workshop repairs authorisation in Europe). There is a full list of European countries and their speed limits on www.europ-assistance.co.uk and The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Carefree Travel service can also provide essential information.

Take out appropriate vehicle breakdown insurance and make sure your caravan is also covered. One phone call gives access to help with everything from a simple repair that gets you back on the road to providing a replacement vehicle, emergency accommodation or repatriating your car, caravan and yourselves.