Fire Safety for Your RV
Did you know you could lose your RV in just about the time it will take you to read this post? In just 6 minutes, your RV could be a seared skeleton of what it used to be. At Howdy Ranch RV, we believe the RV life should be packed with fun and adventure. We also believe no RVer should set out on the open road without taking precautions in case of an emergency. Fires are an all-too-common occurrence in RVs that can easily be prevented. Here are a few fire safety tips that could save your RV.
Beware of Friction
One common cause of fire in RVs is dragging brakes. A dragging brake can easily produce enough friction to spark a fire that can spread and consume the entire vehicle. If you suspect there might be something dragging beneath your RV, pull over as soon as possible and inspect.
Take precautions with propane.
You probably already know that propane is highly flammable. Still that fact is easy to forget in the day-to-day events of life. It’s important to develop a habit of shutting your propane off when you aren’t using it—especially while you’re driving!
Don’t overload circuits.
Overloading circuits is a bad idea anywhere, but it’s an especially bad idea in an RV. It’s also not difficult to do. Spread your electrical load out over several outlets to avoid an electrical fire.
Ventilate your battery.
Batteries in RVs need proper ventilation. Because of the explosive gas they can emit, they are a hazard if not ventilated. Without battery ventilation, your battery could become the demise of your RV.
Don’t cook your RV!
If you’re cooking over a grill—or a campfire—make sure you keep the fire a good distance from your RV. It wouldn’t take more than some stray embers to light your awning on fire or scorch your side panels.
Be prepared.
No matter how many precautions you take, there is always the possibility of a fire breaking out in your RV. For this reason, we recommend having fire extinguishers on hand. Keep a couple inside, especially in the kitchen, and one somewhere on the exterior should a fire occur while you are outside your RV.
Don’t forget about your detectors.
No one thinks about detectors—until the shrill sound of the alarm starts blaring through their RV. If you don’t already, you should install smoke, propane, and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure you change the batteries regularly.
Have a plan.
We hope you never experience an RV fire, but in the event that you do, we hope you have a plan in place. Talk to your family about fire safety, take precautions and make sure everyone is on the same page, and make sure everyone knows what to do if a fire does break out in the RV. Create an exit plan and have regular fire drills. Emphasize the importance of putting human life before material possessions. There is no object more valuable than your life or the lives of your loved ones.
Don’t forget about insurance.
We strongly recommend that you purchase Comprehensive RV Insurance. Should the worst happen, comprehensive insurance will help cover expenses to repair or replace your RV. Not only does this coverage aid with costs associated with fire damage, but it also covers expenses related to loss or damage from vandalism, theft, falling objects, fire, storms, floods, and other natural disasters.
At Howdy Ranch RV, we are dedicated to seeing customers off in the RV of their dreams. But before you hit the road, we encourage you to do extensive research on RV fire safety. Our experienced staff care about your well-being, so please feel free to ask their advice regarding fire safety!
Still looking for that perfect fifth wheel or travel trailer? Stop by Howdy Ranch RV and check out our new and used units. We proudly serve Corpus Christi, San Antonio, McAllen, and Rockport, TX.