In Boat Fire Safety Week, 31st May – 5th June 2013, wise up to boat fire and carbon monoxide (CO) risks

Local Fire and Rescue Authorities (LRAs )and the Boat Safety Scheme are encouraging local boat owners to learn more about fire and carbon monoxide (CO) risks and make vital safety checks to stay safe this summer.

In the past 20 years thirty boaters have been killed in boat fires and thirty have been killed by the ‘silent killer’ carbon monoxide.

The message, timed for the start of the boating season, says owners should understand the risks, adopt some basic checks, and follow engine and appliance operating guidelines, as the essential steps to deal with the fire and CO threat.

During Boat Fire Safety Week, firefighters will be talking to thousands of boat owners across the country and handing out leaflets to alert them to the risks and help them to protect themselves and their passengers.

The Fire Safety on Boats leaflet provides tips on how to protect your boat and crew from fire and what to do should a fire break out; this leaflet together with the Carbon Monoxide Safety on Boats leaflet is available at boatyards and marinas.   People can also read the 10 tips to keep you alive from CO on their smartphones, tablets and laptops at www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe/carbon-monoxide-(co)

This year’s Boat Fire Safety Week has the support of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the Royal Yachting Association and The Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

RNLI Campaign Manager Will Stephens said “The RNLI is happy to support Boat Fire Safety Week.  In 2011 the charity’s lifeboats launched to 90 incidents involving boat fires and a further 81 in 2012.  If we can all help raise awareness of the actions that boat users can take to help prevent fire, and the sources of potential risk, more people can continue to enjoy their boating and avoid a potential tragedy.”

For more information about events in your area please contact your local FRA or look in your local press.

For further information about general boat fire and CO safety, visit

http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe.