An RV isn’t necessarily inherently dangerous, but it does bring together a number of potentially hazardous elements into a confined space. And with the exception of the most well-heeled suburban RV parks, most campgrounds involve some level of exposure to nature, including wild animals and strong weather. So how do you keep on top of all these considerations and keep your family as well as your trailer safe? Having the right equipment and good action plans is one of the best things you can do. Below, we’ve shared some of the tips and tricks we’ve found most helpful. Of course, if you’ve found equipment and protocol on your own, use those, too! If not, this short guide can serve as a basic primer in RV safety. Stop by Airstream of Montana when you’re ready to see some of the best trailers by Airstream. Located in Missoula, Montana, we proudly serve Bozeman and Kalispell, too.
Developing a Safety Plan
When crisis strikes, the more time you spend thinking, the more time you waste. Having a plan of action allows you to act fast and be more effective with your time and decision making. One of the most important types of safety plan is a fire safety plan. You can’t always be sure where a fire will start, if one starts at all. But your whole family should be familiar with all of your RV’s exits and fire extinguishers. Another type of helpful plan is an emergency camp breaking plan. Should a tornado, severe windstorm, flood, or any other severe weather incident occur, you’ll want a basic plan for how to get your RV packed up in a hurry. If packing normally takes a couple hours, you should be able to follow your emergency plan in something closer to twenty minutes.
Medical Supplies
Having sufficient medical supplies is extremely important, especially if you spend most of your time boondocking or dry camping. The farther you are from medical assistance, the more you should be prepared to deal with on your own. Make sure to have plenty of wound care supplies such as gauze, bandages, antiseptic ointment, and plasters. Burn cream is extremely helpful, especially if you do any cooking over an open fire or grill. If you can afford one, an epinephrine pen can save a life when someone has a severe allergic reaction. It’s also helpful to have water purification tablets and a good selection of medicine for various gastrointestinal problems including antidiuretics, anti nausea medicines, and anti gas medicine.
Outdoor Safety
Spending time in the outdoors is one of the best parts of owning an RV, but the natural world isn’t always safe and you should always prepare for its challenges. Here in Montana, we have black bears and grizzly bears, cougars, rattlesnakes, and other natural predators. Keeping your food hung off the ground and away from your camp is a good way to keep the bears away from your family. When the bears don’t feel like leaving, a can of bear mace comes in handy! While rattlesnake bites against humans are rare, it’s important to watch where you step, and keep dogs on a leash when possible. If you’re camping in an area known for lightning, make sure to park your RV away from the tallest trees, preferably in a dry, low-lying area. If lightning comes, shelter inside and stay away from the windows.
Fire Safety
There’s no shortage of potential sources for starting a fire in an RV. You’ll want to make sure you have at least one (and probably more) fire alarms inside your RV. You should also pick up a few different types of fire extinguisher to put in the different areas of your RV. The last thing you want is to get trapped with the fire in between you and the fire. Outdoors, you should make sure to avoid starting fires during burn prohibition season. Put out fires completely each night and every time you leave camp. Finally, don’t leave a fire unattended, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
Staying safe in your RV requires a little bit of planning and some special equipment, but if you’re vigilant, you can prevent many accidents from happening in the first place. If you’re new to RVing, stop by Airstream of Montana to see the best Airstream trailers on the market today. Our team of enthusiastic RVing experts can also share their tips for making every RV trip amazing. If you live in Bozeman or Kalispell, Montana, stop by our Missoula, Montana dealership today!
