HEALTH AND SAFETY
We’d like you to relax and have a good time on your holiday. The Site makes every effort to ensure that this happens. With a few sensible precautions and being aware of any hazards, everyone can have a great time and enjoy their holiday.
Whilst we endeavour to keep all potential hazards to a minimum and undertake regular checks, by making a booking you confirm that you use this site at your own risk.
https://www.rospa.com/leisure-water-safety/leisure-safety/camping
Things to remember
Take a first aid kit
It is essential that you take a first aid kit when you go camping, and include useful items such as plasters, basic dressings, scissors and tweezers
Some useful items to include in your camping first aid kit could be:
- Plasters
- Dressings
- Scissors
- alcohol- or iodine-based disinfectant
It’s also a good idea to take a set of tweezers specifically for removing ticks (tweezers with thin tips), especially if you intend to take part in any outdoor activities such as hiking or biking.
The best way to avoid ticks when camping is to stay away from areas of long grass and shrubs, and wear loose clothing that covers your legs and ankles if this cant be avoided. You can tuck your trousers into your socks so that skin is not exposed.
Make sure you’re prepared for the weather
It’s always essential to make sure you have the right equipment for the area you’re camping in, for the right time of year and the right weather. Be sure to check the weather before you leave and pack accordingly.
With a big increase in staycations, many people may plan ahead thinking it will be warm, but sadly it might also be quite cold, you should be fine so long as you take the right equipment. Make sure you have the right sleeping bag for low temperatures, and perhaps also consider a sleeping bag liner. A good camping mat or cot is also important as it will not only give you more comfort, but will also insulate you from the cold that comes from the ground.
If you’re travelling during summer be prepared for high temperatures and be sure to pack sunscreen, and be aware that you will need to drink more water than usual.
It’s important to ensure that you have the right kind of sunscreen. Look at the label to check that:
- it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
- it has at least a 4-star UVA protection
Most sunscreen has a shelf life of 2 to 3 years, so make sure yours isn’t past its expiry date.
Fire safety
To make sure any fire won’t spread, keep your outfit at the required distance from others.
Carbon Monoxide kills. Keep barbecues out of, awnings and tents. Make sure you keep barbecues away from other outfits and hedges and outside of awnings and tents – please don’t leave them unattended. Let hot ashes cool down before disposing of them.
Make sure exhaust from generators is properly vented away from occupied areas.
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that can kill in minutes.
Any fuel that burns or smoulders can cause Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
Barbecues can continue to give off Carbon Monoxide for 12 hours after they have been used.
Make a note of where a sensible assembly point is in-case of a fire and advise all children of the hazards.
There are seven water outlets around the site for both drinking water and extinguishing fires. Please ask the manager if you are unaware of their locations.
Please make sure you are familiar with their use, prior to attempting to put out a fire.
If fire breaks out, contact the site manager immediately on either 01273 844856 or 07776287498.
Keep your children safe by making them aware of the danger of emergency services rushing to the scene.
We recommend that you have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in your outfit. They should be checked and serviced regularly so they’re always ready to use.
Emergency Access
Ensure that the two access routes through the site are clear at all times as these also act as Emergency Access.
These travel from the access gates directly to the rear of the site. The Upper access route travels slightly further than the lower route, but both work together to allow emergency vehicles to access the whole site with ease.
Vehicles on site
For everyone’s sake, please keep your speed down. The speed limit is 5mph; that’s a fast walking pace. Pedestrians always have right of way.
Please take care at all times especially when near play areas and when you’re reversing.
When you’ve sited your tent, where possible park your vehicle alongside with the handbrake securely applied.
Tents
There are tents to suit all needs. Many retailers offer advice on their websites and have experts in stores.
For independent advice there are camping clubs who also provide information and events to help first time campers
It is important that you and anyone else who will be using the equipment read the instructions that come with the equipment
Instructions are there to keep you, your family and friends safe and will prolong the life of the tent
Keep a distance from others – 6 metres apart is recommended
Ventilation
Ventilation is important in tents. Don’t block it up.
It refreshes the air in a tent that you are breathing especially when sleeping.
The number of people who will be sleeping in the tent sets the amount of ventilation that must be built in.
Never be tempted to use cookers, BBQs or disposable BBQs inside a tent or awning.
Some tents have cooking areas. There will be clear instructions about what precautions you must take when using this area.
Roads, paths and tracks
Please take care when driving and walking on the approach track, as it is uneven and is used by local residents to drive too and from their houses and by walkers.
When the weather’s bad, the site may become slippery and uneven. If you see anything that looks hazardous, please tell the manager.
Lighting on site
There is no lighting on the site as the site is very basic.
We suggest taking a torch with you and sticking to a familiar route if you need to walk around the site after dark.
Weather
We cannot guarantee the weather
The site manager and campers shouldn’t risk their own safety to protect property in poor weather.
Wait until conditions improve to take action.
Shower Area
To keep site standards high, the showers and toilets are checked and are cleaned twice daily.
Floors may be slippery, so please take care.
Take care when using showers and taps.
We make sure the water is temperature controlled – Please DO NOT tamper with the controls.
Supervision of children
The parents or guardians are responsible for the safety of children in their care at all times whilst on site.
The Site is not entirely risk free and we encourage parents to inform their children of the hazards. Running/moving around the site should be undertaken with caution and is strictly at the child’s own risk – please remember you are responsible for your children on site and should advise children of any hazards to include the metal animals that have already been mentioned.
Bikes, scooters and skateboards
Bikes, scooters and skateboards are allowed, but we ask you to keep your speed down to walking pace on the site and to be aware of uneven surfaces on the approach track.
Please do not use the access road as a practice area as local residents also use it to travel too and from their properties.
For the safety and consideration of others, we don’t allow the use of petrol or electric scooters on site.
https://www.rospa.com/road-safety/advice/vehicles/e-scooters
https://www.rospa.com/road-safety/advice/cyclists-and-motorcyclists.aspx
https://www.rospa.com/play-safety/advice/skateboarding
Animals and nature hazards
We encourage wildlife and maintain natural surroundings where possible, so take care when walking around the site. Molehills and rabbit holes, tree roots and uneven ground are likely to be present.
Please take care when driving around the site as there are natural wet areas that could cause your car to get stuck. It is very obvious where these areas are as there are metal animals that clearly show their location. Please also avoid when on foot and certainly do not camp in these areas as you could wake up in a very wet tent.
These wet areas are clearly detectable and signposted using metal farm animals that are lit up at night. Do not venture into the wet areas as you could fall and hurt yourself. Do not run/walk into the metal animals, as you could get hurt. The animals are there to highlight the wet areas. DO NOT drive through, as your car will almost certainly get stuck.
There is also a stream on the southern boundary were your children may choose to play. There are two bridges that cross the stream. The parents or guardians are responsible for the safety of children in their care whilst playing in or near the stream or anywhere on the site.
The manager undertakes routine checks and removes hazards when identified, however, this is a campsite, in nature, where hazards exist. We advise you to keep your eyes peeled and wear appropriate footwear if needed. Please advise the manager immediately if you identify a possible hazard.
When visiting local farms or walking on the Downs, take care if there are animals around. They can be unpredictable, so parental supervision is required. Please don’t let children get close to the animals unless given permission by the farmer.
Always wash your hands after contact with animals.
Approach Rd – The Drove
Be careful on the approach road as it is generally loose gravel with potholes and may be a trip hazard.
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Most campervans have Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) systems fitted as standard. We strongly advise that campers have their gas system checked by a “Gas Safe” registered fitter annually, before use.
Cylinders should be stored upright in the area provided by the campervan manufacturer. Ditchling Camping strongly advises against the use of external LPG cylinders on site.
Campers who do use external LPG cylinders must ensure that the cylinders are secured adequately, to ensure they cannot be knocked over or accidentally fall.
If you are absent from the site for more than 24 hours, external cylinders must be disconnected and stored inside and locked until your return.
Gas cookers and equipment
Always read the instructions and make sure anyone else who will use the equipment also knows how to use it safely.
Using a gas cooker and lamps in a small tent is like having another person in there, the air gets used up quickly. The appliance can start burning the gas inefficiently producing Carbon Monoxide (CO), which is poisonous.
Despite being flame retardant, modern tent material must be kept away from naked flames.
Check and follow the instructions when changing a gas cylinder. Any leak or spill through joints or perished hoses can linger inside a tent and be accidentally ignited later.
Aerosol cylinder cookers
One type of popular portable gas stove uses aerosol type canisters. It comes in a container and uses aerosol sized gas cylinders.
When in use the pan support or drip tray must be placed the correct side up to avoid a build up of excess heat under the tray. The gas aerosol canister must be the correct type for the appliance and correctly inserted into the relevant compartment. There is a lever, which pushes the cylinder forward engaging it with the gas system. If the pan support is the wrong way up or the cylinder is not lined up correctly the lever will not go all the way down.
Despite these points being included in the instructions a number accidents are reported each year.
Keep yourself and others safe by doing things correctly by following the manufacturers advice.
Carbon Monoxide and BBQ Advice
In recent years there has been a spate of tragic deaths of campers and caravanners, from carbon monoxide poisoning from barbecues.
Please help our campaign to try and stop this happening again
BBQs and Carbon Monoxide – Important Please Read
Please note, although you may be tempted to put your barbeque in your tent, or tent porch, either during or after use, to keep you warm, DONT! It may kill you, and very quickly.
Carbon monoxide fumes from BBQs are invisible, odourless, and lethal. Even if you think it’s safe, and the flames have died down, don’t do it. The smouldering coals may be warm, but they will kill you. Even with the tent doors open. Even just in the porch. Please don’t do it!
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when a fuel such as charcoal, gas or petrol burns incompletely. This could be because an appliance isn’t working properly or might simply happen as part of its normal function. Barbecues, for example, produce carbon monoxide even when they are working well.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas and is poisonous. In high concentrations it can kill swiftly. In smaller concentrations CO poisoning can give symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning. Look out for headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and weakness – but the best advice is to avoid any chance of being poisoned in the first place.
Safety Tips
Never take a barbecue into a tent, awning, or campervan. Even a cooling barbecue gives off plenty of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO), which can kill.
Never use a fuel-burning appliance to heat your tent or awning. Gas and kerosene heaters – unless they are permanently fitted in a caravan or motorhome – should only be used outside. Stoves and barbecues are designed for cooking not space heating.
Never run a gas, petrol or diesel-powered generator inside a campervan, tent or awning. Make sure fumes from a generator don’t blow into your unit or anyone else’s from outside either.
Don’t cook inside your tent or awning
Don’t use any other gas, charcoal, liquid or solid fuel appliances inside a tent or awning. Gas-powered fridges and lamps, for example, also need plenty of ventilation to prevent them producing poisonous carbon monoxide. Tents and awnings aren’t generally designed with this in mind.
Consider using a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, provided it is suitable for the condition you intend to use it, check with the supplier/manufacturer, though it should never be used as an alternative to the precautions listed.
Always have gas appliances in your campervan serviced regularly.
Spotting the danger signs of CO poisoning
You cannot smell, taste or see carbon monoxide but it can kill quickly and without warning. Early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning can give symptoms similar to food poisoning or flu, though without a high temperature.
Symptoms to look out for include: Headaches; dizziness; feeling sick; tiredness and confusion; stomach pains or shortness of breath
Higher concentrations can give more severe symptoms: Symptoms of intoxication; vertigo, as if the environment is spinning; loss of coordination; breathlessness and high heart beat rate; seizures or unconsciousness leading to death
- Ensure tents or campervans are kept at least six metres apart.
- Find out what the fire-fighting arrangements are on the campsite and where the nearest telephone is.
- Fit an optical smoke alarm in your campervan.
- Keep a torch handy for emergencies. Do not use a candle.
- Do not leave children alone in a campervan.
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Do not overload electric sockets or extension leads if you have access to a power supply and make sure electrical appliances are working correctly
- Keep flammable liquids and gas cylinders away from tents.
- Do not cook inside your tent.
- Be prepared to cut your way out of your tent in the event of a fire.
- If your clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP AND ROLL.
- Oil burning appliances should not be used in or around tents.
- Cooking appliances should not be used in small tents.
- Do not smoke inside tents.
If there is a fire:
- Get everyone out straight away. Fires in tents and caravans spread very quickly.
- Call the fire and rescue service.
- Give a map reference, if possible. Otherwise give a landmark such as a farm or pub to help the fire and rescue service locate you.
- You can also use – https://what3words.com/alone.smoker.worlds
https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/camping-safety/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/
Waste disposal
There are no rubbish bins on site and we ask that all rubbish is taken away and disposed of responsibly.
Please leave the your site as you found it so the next guests can feel welcome.
If you have waste such as broken glass and batteries, ask the manager who will offer advice regarding disposal.
Hazardous waste must be discarded sensibly.
Water
If your chosen location is close to the stream, take extra care, especially if you have children with you.
Please warn your children of the dangers and ensure they are supervised at all times.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a rare but serious bacterial infection found around the world. The tetanus bacteria can survive for long periods outside of the body, and is usually found in the soil and manure of animals, particularly horses and cows. Tetanus is contracted in humans when the bacteria enters a wound by either soil or dirt.
Tetanus is part of the primary course of vaccinations in the UK, as is given as part of the diphtheria, polio and tetanus vaccine.
The best method of prevention against tetanus is vaccination. Protection from the tetanus vaccine usually lasts for 10 years. If you are taking part in an outdoor activity in a rural area, you may want to get a diphtheria, polio and tetanus booster.
https://www.rospa.com/leisure-water-safety/leisure-safety/camping