We’ve all seen those horrific photos and video footage of RV fires. The way RVs are constructed, and the materials used lends them to burn and go up in smoke extremely quickly. If inside you literally have seconds to escape.
To hopefully keep that from happening to you I’ve decided to publish some common sense RV fire safety tips. Essential advice for a new RV owner to consider. It doesn’t take much effort to dramatically reduce your risk.
Change Detector Batteries
This one is a duh! But worth repeating. Just like in a regular home make sure your smoke, propane, and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries in them at all times. A good rule of thumb is to change all the batteries every six months. I use the days we adjust our clocks for daylight savings time and back, so it’s easy to remember.
Certify Propane System
Check and make sure a licensed LP technician has certified the rig. It’s a good idea to have it re-certified every few years. In many jurisdictions, there are mandatory inspection periods. They will inspect and test the propane system and check for any leaks.
Check your local laws regarding propane regulations. Here is an excellent article about RV propane safety from the Canadian Propane Association. If you ever smell propane vacate the RV immediately, call the fire department and if possible turn off the external propane tanks.
Driving With LP Gas On?
The age old question. “Can I leave my LP gas system on when traveling to keep my RV fridge running?” This question always spawns no-win arguments that lead to an endless circle of comments on RV forums and groups. Myself, I err on the side of caution. I’m not comfortable driving around with an open flame burning in my fridge compartment. And, I’m too lazy to worry about if I remembered to turn off the gas when I refuel, go through a tunnel or board a ferry, etc.
For what it’s worth in 5 years of full-timing with over 60,000 miles towed we have yet to have spoiled food in the fridge. When you think about it, the typical RV fridge is really like a large camping cooler but better insulated than most. I tent camped for years with coolers not near as good.
Don’t Overload Electrical Circuits
From what I’ve seen the average RV uses the bare minimum quality when it comes to electrical outlets. Most are lightweight and cheaply made. With that in mind, my advice is, don’t plug too many things into one outlet, especially high draw appliances or heaters. Try to spread the loads out between different outlets. Pick up a wattage meter and test how much current/power you may be drawing. If you are consistently maxing out an individual outlet, consider installing a heavy duty electrical box for it. Maybe even have the wiring beefed up to it.