In view of recent fires involving caravans & tow vehicles, I thought some may be interested in this article, see;

http://www.fpaa.com.au/information/docs/safety_extinguishers.pdf 

I'm not sure what the one in my caravan is, I just hope I never have to use it.....

Don't put too much faith in your caravan fire extinguisher.
It is almost useless.

Carry a fire blanket for stove fires. Cheap and effective.

Cheers,
Peter

all depends on the type and severity of the fire, the extinguisher supplied with the van will be a "multifunction" one that will cope with all types of fires I.E. electrical, oil, timber, fat or similar, good for small fires acted upon quickly, should not be discounted so readily the fire blanket should also be readily available right beside the stove, it is for "smothering" a fat or oil fire in the event of a fire dont stop to think about which one to use just grab what is at hand and at this time either of the units will do make your decision fast as this can be crucial for your life, dont ever throw water on a fat fire and if the flames are over 2 feet high and spreading then just get out and away, the van is full of highly flammable stuff and it will eat you as well given half a chance, I have heard it a thousand times "it was so quick, there was nothing I could do" you will not be the one to beat the flames, you will only be the next statistic, just get out

A tip I was told about that works is to carry a large bottle of beer with you.In case of fire,take off the top place your finger over the top of the bottle,shake really hard,use your finger as a nozzle and shake foam over the fire.I would not use this on oil or liquid fires.I have used this method and it worked ok.Cheers.Ibbo.

My advice . get to hell away and let it burn. Those P@#$farting extinguishers are as useful and an ash tray on a Harley. If installing a fire blanket just remember it has to be mounted high enough to get it fully out of it's storage pouch in one easy downward motion and in a space where you can flick it fully open . F/ B are really design for use in areas where you have space to get a clear access path to the seat of the fire and room to move , bit short on in a van , they work well in a house kitchen . If you buy one get it out and give it a test run (minus fire ). You can buy a couple from the Post Office about $9.00 ea when they come out in the cattledog. Caravan supplier $29.00 for the exact same unit. Practice the approach method illustrated on the pack, no good having it if you don't know how to use it or what it feels like

in the initial stages when time is crucial, a small extinguisher is very usefull and a valuable tool, it should be stored by an exit door so as to keep safety of yourself primarily at the forefront a fighting retreat if you will, I have had reason to use my little extinguisher on three occasions now and I can tell you I was bloody glad to have it, it gives roughly 40 - 60 seconds of retardent and I say again should not be discounted lightly it will not put out a grass fire nor is it intended to do so, it will not put out a service station fire and neither should it be expected to do so if you wish to carry a firetruck with a complete compliment of fighters behind you for complete safety then do so, of course a larger unit is better but in the interests of simple storage, larger is not always practical I carry two of the little fellers, one at each end of the camper, I also carry a fire blanket in the centre but do most of my cooking outside I have installed a gas "fuse" and a gas detector but no matter how much you try to be safe the time may just come when any and all help will be asked for and would be gratefully received even the smallest of units would be a godsend in a lot of cases get out may be the apropriate thing to do

dave06 wrote:

---

in the initial stages when time is crucial, a small extinguisher is very usefull and a valuable tool, it should be stored by an exit door so as to keep safety of yourself primarily at the forefront

a fighting retreat if you will, I have had reason to use my little extinguisher on three occasions now and I can tell you I was bloody glad to have it, it gives roughly 40 - 60 seconds of retardent and I say again should not be discounted lightly

it will not put out a grass fire nor is it intended to do so, it will not put out a service station fire and neither should it be expected to do so

if you wish to carry a firetruck with a complete compliment of fighters behind you for complete safety then do so, of course a larger unit is better but in the interests of simple storage, larger is not always practical

I carry two of the little fellers, one at each end of the camper, I also carry a fire blanket in the centre but do most of my cooking outside

I have installed a gas "fuse" and a gas detector but no matter how much you try to be safe the time may just come when any and all help will be asked for and would be gratefully received even the smallest of units would be a godsend

in a lot of cases get out may be the apropriate thing to do

---

Would also offer that those who have an extinguisher fitted attend a practice session with the local CFS or extinguisher  service agent  at time the local fire service run short courses on portable equipment use  .  I have put many through the basics of there use  when we have had to exchange units. Rather than just discharge them into a collection  pit I have got all those who haven't used one  to have a go .  A live fire drill is a far cry from a dry one  you will soon learn the limitation of your unit

 

I know it sounds silly.....but have you ever thought how your going to get out of your caravan.if its on fire and doorway is blocked by fire.......have you tried ever getting out of a window? Fire Extinguishers are great.if they are looked after.....Dry chem (dry powder type) will settle very quickly if you been on road.....take it off its bracket.......look at the guage to see if its still charged (never put it back on its bracket if you used it.replace it ASP)..feel if it is bottom heavy.....give it a vigorous shake.......it should feel lighter....if not .......and in doublt have it replaced.....a $1 kg dry chem extingiusher cost around $27.........a cheap life saving device. Fire blankets are very good for oil or fat fires on stoves.......as Wombat said see your local CFS for instruction..Hands on beats any verbal instructions. Dave

I think if the fire is big enough to stop you from getting out the door then it is already too late! way better to get out well before then!