Keeping Safe in Your RV

The Healthy Traveler” blog at rvlife.com is a rich source of practical advice that will help keep you safe and healthy as you travel in your RV.

Each week a new blog entry is posted on a health and safety topic that is directly related to the RV lifestyle. Recent topics have ranged from the many helpful uses of baking soda in an RV to how to grow herbs in your motorhome or travel trailer.

Here is a post that discusses what you need to do to protect yourself from fire:

The Healthy Traveler: Fire Extinguishers for the RV
RVs are unique in the world of automobiles because of their operating systems. In addition to having the engine, transmission and electrical systems, your camper also features propane tanks, ovens and water heaters. Whether you drive a fun Class C, an immense Class A or tow a basic camper, several components inside can catch on fire. That’s why it’s vital that you make sure your fire extinguisher is ready to go before every camping trip.

One Is Not Enough
If you have a tiny pop-up, then a single extinguisher might serve your purposes. However, most large campers really need more than one. In addition to having one near the door, you should also make sure there is one in the bathroom. If your kitchen features an island that would slow you down when trying to reach the extinguisher, then you should also place one in the kitchen.

Give it a Spin
Fire extinguishers contain a powder that needs to be shaken occasionally. Otherwise, the powder settles to the bottom and the extinguisher won’t work. Take your extinguisher down when you are packing for a trip, shake it or roll it around and then put it back in place. It’s a simple little pre-trip activity that could save your life and your camper.

Practice Makes Perfect
Everyone knows what an extinguisher looks like, but do you know how to use it? It looks simple enough on TV, but it’s still a good idea to practice. Call your local fire department and ask if they ever offer extinguisher training. You can also practice discharging an extinguisher in a large, open area. Remember to PASS when you need to use the equipment. PASS stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. Pull the safety pin, aim at the fire, squeeze the trigger and sweep the nozzle back and forth over the base of the fire.

Replace As Needed 
Fire extinguishers have an expiration date. Check yours to see if it is past the expiration date and replace it if necessary. They are also only good for one use, so you should replace it if you ever have to use yours.

It’s important to make sure that older children know where the extinguisher is and how to use it. Never allow them to be moved around in the camper. Once they are secured to the wall, they should be left in place for emergencies. When camping, the fire can originate inside the camper or outside at the campfire or barbecue, so it’s important to know where the extinguisher is at all times.

Mike Ward