Fire safety progress ‘brilliant’ says mum whose little girl died in holiday caravan blaze
SHE IS HOPEFUL OF ACTION BEING TAKEN BEFORE HOLIDAY SEASON TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAGEDIES
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 rented holiday caravan at Sealands Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, near Skegness.
After the devastating loss, Natasha is committed to making sure nothing like it ever happens again by working to change the legislation around caravans.
The 36-year-old travelled to Westminster in June last year 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 on the way, Ms Broadley is urging families booking holidays to make sure safety standards are met.
“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 said it would cost site owners just a few pounds to put fresh batteries in a smoke alarm, and added that it was “shocking” how many didn’t do it.
As the law stands, those renting out a caravan or holiday home to others need to make sure they have followed the basic fire precautions, such as fitting a working smoke alarm. However, Ms Broadley wants to ensure that these regulations are being followed and that owners are taking responsibility when it comes to keeping people safe.
Last September she received an update from Mr Jenrick, which explained that Mr Philp’s team has spoken with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service and implemented a prevention campaign which will run in the lead-up to the holiday 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.
Mr Philp said: “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.”
Mr Jenrick’s letter conbcluded with the MP writing: “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, Ms Broadley said it was “brilliant”, explaining: “I was just happy and overwhelmed really when it came through that day.”
While 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 said she hopes to see some changes being rolled out at caravan sites for the holiday season and says a number of sites have already agreed to make changes.
Regarding Mr Jenrick, Ms Broadley added that he had been really helpful throughout.
“He just keeps checking in to see if we are all right, be he can’t do any more then he already is doing. He’s playing the waiting game as much as us.”