Caravan safety campaigner’s bid for change in law
MUM WHO LOST DAUGHTER IN CARAVAN FIRE TAKES HER CASE TO WESTMINSTER
THE Nottinghamshire mum of a toddler who died in a fire has shared an update in her campaign to introduce more mandatory health and safety measures for caravans.
In August 2021, Natasha Broadley, tragically lost her two-year-old daughter Louisiana Brooke-Dolan after a fire broke out in their holiday caravan on Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire.
Following the devastating loss, Natasha is committed to making sure nothing like this ever happens again by working to change the legislation around caravans.
The 36-year-old travelled to Westminster in June 2023 with Newark MP Robert Jenrick, where they had a meeting with Fire Minister, Chris Philp, as well as the National Caravan Council and the British Holiday and Homes Park Association.
With the summer holiday season soon starting, Ms Broadley is urging families booking holidays to make sure safety standards are being met. She said: “I have always said this, make sure the smoke detectors are working and make sure all of the certifications are all in date, and there’s not much more you can do.
“I wish I had done that, to just make sure those batteries are working.” She added that it would cost site owners just a few pounds to put fresh batteries in a smoke alarm, and claimed it is “shocking” how many businesses don’t do this.
As the law stands, those renting out a caravan or holiday home need to make sure they are following the basic fire safety precautions, such as a working smoke alarm.
However, Ms Broadley wants to further ensure that these regulations are being followed and that owners are taking responsibility when it comes to keeping people safe.
In September 2023 she received an update from Mr Jenrick, which explained that the Minister Philp’s team has spoken with the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service and implemented a prevention campaign which will run in the lead up to the annual tourism season.
The service is also reported to be providing support and guidance on compliance with the Fire Safety Order and undertaking action days at caravan sites across the county.
In the comments made in the letter by Minister Philps, it stated: “In addition to this, our team has raised this issue with the NFCC’s Home Safety Committee and asked them to encourage FRAs to spread messaging to caravan owners to make sure their gas safety certificates are in order.
“We will continue to liaise with the NFCC’s detection lead to consider what more can be done along these lines.”
The letter concludes with Mr Jenrick stating: “I will continue to push for the other actions to be addressed as soon as possible and as soon as I have any further updates, I will be in touch. In the meantime I hope you and your family are keeping well.”
When she got the letter, Natasha said it was “brilliant”, explaining: “I was just happy and overwhelmed really when it came through that day.”
Whilst she has not received any further updates since, she understands that it is a long process.
The Newark mum added: “I’m just really waiting for a phone call or a letter to come through the door. So I don’t know when it will be, I keep thinking is today going to be the day.”
She explained that as the caravan season is coming up for 2024, she hopes to see some changes being rolled out at caravan sites and says a number of sites have already agreed to make changes. Regarding Mr Jenrick, Natasha added that he has been really helpful throughout the whole process.
Saying: “He just keeps checking in to see if we are alright, be he can’t do an more then he already is doing. He’s playing the waiting game as much as us.”