RV’s are a fantastic alternative to traditional vacations. Not only is it a perfect way to experience the great outdoors but it will also save you hundreds of dollars on accommodation, eating out and flights. When you own an RV it is essential that you stay safe. Often you will be working with open flames during your RV trips, either whilst lighting a barbeque or cooking something in the kitchen. RV’s also have electrical sockets which can lead to electrical fires if something were to malfunction. So it is important that you are prepared for all possibilities.

Over 20,000 fire in RV’s are reported every year in the USA, 80% of which were in gas powered motor homes. Many of these fires are transmission fires, whilst 35% of RV fires are caused by 12 volt shorts.

To prevent, identify and put out fires there are several things you should have in place. As well as having a working fire alarm and carbon monoxide and LPG gas detectors you should also have working fire extinguishers. In fact, it is against the law in the USA not to have a fire extinguisher in your RV. The National Fire Protection Agency makes it compulsory to have a 5 pound BC fire extinguisher near every exit of the RV. Most fires in RV’s are type A fires meaning that they start from common combustibles such as paper and wood, so it is recommended that you keep a type A fire extinguisher in your RV as well as the BC which is for electrical and gas fires. It is also best to have five fire extinguishers in your RV - one in the driver’s cab, one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom, one in your towed vehicle and also one in storage as a backup.

Most RV’s only come with one fire extinguisher that is usually not a Type A extinguisher, so it is important you buy other ones to keep your RV safe. There are different types of extinguishers. Dry powder extinguishers are corrosive if they touch parts of the RV that are not burning, which can leave permanent damage to your vehicle. CO2 extinguishers are of no use when it is windy and are also potentially hazardous if breathed in. It is essential to have different types of fire extinguishers for different potential situations.

These are the four different types of fire extinguishers that you should have in you RV: Class A fire extinguishers are for fires that start from combustibles such as paper and wood. Class B fire extinguishers are used for fires that are started from flammables such as gas and oil. Class C fire extinguishers are used for fires that start from electrical equipment; and Class D fire extinguishers are used for fires on flammable metals, and there are specific extinguishers for specific metals.

Some RV fire extinguishers have multi class ratings such as AB or ABC, meaning they can be used on several types of fires. These are a good option, especially if you are limited for space. It also helps prevent confusion over which fire extinguisher to use when you are in a frantic situation.

Not only is it important to have fire extinguishers in your RV, but it is essential that you know how to use them. Before setting off on your vacation you should ensure that everyone in your family, including young children, know how to use the fire extinguishers and which one to use in different situations. Some fire extinguishers can be very hard to function unless you are particularly strong, so ensure that you purchase fire extinguishers that you know you can personally handle. Otherwise they are of no use. The word PASS is a great way to remind everyone how to use a fire extinguisher - Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep.

It is also important to have a fire escape plan. The most important thing is that everyone is safe, so make sure you know how everyone will get out of the RV in an emergency before starting to try and extinguish the fire.