Firefighters from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will visit boaters along the Kennet and Avon Canal to offer free safety advice during Boat Safety Week from Monday to Sunday, May 25-31.

Crews will be using bicycles to travel up and down the towpath, offering safety advice and free smoke detectors to people who live, work or are holidaying on the water.

They will also be highlighting the specific dangers to boat users from carbon monoxide.

In addition, there will be three displays through the week, all between 11am and 3pm, where people can chat with Fire & Rescue Service personnel about keeping safe.

These will be on:

• Tuesday, May 26 – Foxhangers Marina, Devizes

• Wednesday, May 27 – Pewsey Wharf (by the Waterfront bar/bistro)

• Thursday, May 28 – Bradford on Avon Wharf (by the lock)

Although boat fires on inland waters are less common than fires on land, when they do occur they can have devastating consequences. Last year a man lost his life in a boat fire on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Hilperton.

In addition, national figures show that 60 boaters have been killed in the last 20 years as a result of a boat fire or carbon monoxide incident.

CO poisoning is most likely to be caused by the exhaust emissions of portable generators, or problems with solid fuel stoves including flue pipes.

CM Colin Owens, from Wiltshire’s rural safety team, said: “We know that boats carry a very high fire risk, and the tragic loss of life last year just underlined how important it is for boaters to do all they can to protect themselves.

"Firefighters do travel along the towpath when they can, but Boat Safety Week is an opportunity for us to run a concerted campaign and hopefully reach as many people as possible.

“As well as offering fire safety advice, and fitting smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as required, we will also be reminding boaters of the importance of knowing their location at all times so that, in the event of any emergency, we can get there as quickly as possible."

Among the top tips that firefighters will be sharing with boaters are:

• Fit a suitable smoke detector;

• Make a fire action plan;

• Take extreme care when refuelling with petrol or changing gas cylinders;

• Avoid using portable gas equipment on-board, where possible, and store all gas canisters in special gas lockers or open places where any leaks will flow overboard;

• Routinely check items such as battery terminals and fuse box connections for damaged strands or signs of overheating;

• Take care when doing repairs, and keep interiors well ventilated when using adhesives, paints and spirit based products; and

• Always keep your eye on a solid fuel stove when it’s lit and try to avoid leaving the boat with the stove running.

To arrange a boat safety visit, call 0800 789 3849, visit www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/boatsafety or just chat to any of the firefighters as they make their way along the towpath.

For further information about general boat fire and CO safety, visit www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe