Avoiding Potential Fire Hazards in Your Motorhome
Avoiding fire hazards in your RV all begins with safety preparation. First, make sure that your RV smoke alarms are in working order. Be sure to check them monthly or before leaving on each trip.
It’s always a good idea to store extra batteries in your camper so that they can be replaced should they die at any point during the journey. You should also keep your RV stocked with fire extinguishers. Ideally, your motorhome should have three of them: one in the gallery or main living area, one in the bedroom and another in the unlocked compartment.
After you’ve made sure your RV is properly equipped to alert you should a fire start, there are a few steps that you and your family can do in order to help prevent RV fires from occurring in the first place.
Don’t overload extension cords. Your motorhome obviously won’t have as many available outlets as you’re used to at home. For this reason, extension cords or adapters may be necessary. However, be sure to take the proper precautions in order to make sure you’re using the proper extension cord and that you’re not overloading the outlets.
Take precautions in the kitchen. When cooking in your RV, make sure that you are getting proper ventilation either by turning on the overhead exhaust fan or opening a window. Also make sure that all clothes, linens and other combustibles well away from the kitchen area. Since RV kitchens are more compact, combustibles like paper towels and curtains are likely to be closer to the stove, so use greater caution than you do at home when cooking in your RV. After preparing a meal, it’s important to thoroughly clean the stove or other cooking equipment when finished in order to prevent future fires from occurring due to a build-up of grease or film.
Check the furnace. The furnace compartment of your motorhome typically won’t you won’t find a filter for the forced air return. This means debris can get inside and accumulate on the crucial operating components. A fire could start if the machine parts become hot or causes a lot of friction that produce sparks, so you should periodically check to make sure the furnace is clear.
Service your RV engine regularly. Proper RV maintenance is an easy way to prevent most fires. Talk to your local Webster City RV dealer about scheduling a service before your next trip!
