Boat Owners Asked to Make Vital Safety Checks This Boat Safety week

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Boat Safety Scheme are asking local boat owners to make vital safety checks and learn more about fire and carbon monoxide risks to stay safe this summer.In the past twenty years thirty boaters were killed in boat fires and another thirty lost their lives to the ‘silent killer’ carbon monoxide.

The message, timed for the start of the boating season, is that owners should understand the risks, make regular, basic checks, and follow their engine and appliance operating guidelines, as the essential steps to deal with the fire and carbon monoxide threat.

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

The SFRS Fire Safety on Boats leaflet provides tips on how to protect your boat and your crew from fire, what to do if a fire breaks out, and Carbon Monoxide Safety. Download a copy from the SFRS boat safety page. Many boatyards and marinas also have leaflets available.

People can also get safety advice on the go, with the top 10 tips to keep you safe from carbon monoxide available for smartphones, tablets and laptops at www.boatsafetyscheme.org/CO and petrol safety tips at
https://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/PetrolSafety.