RV Detectors & Safety - First, Second and Third! 

The call of the open road attracts thousands of RV enthusiasts to explore North America with gusto. Before you head out on your trip, whether it be long or short, you want to double check your RV Detectors and Safety equipment. 

There's not much that can ruin a holiday as quickly as a fire or other disaster caused by unsafe or ill repaired safety equipment in your RV.

An RV houses almost as many mechanical and energy management systems as a standard house.

Just like a house, it's important to ensure the safety features are regularly inspected and repaired or replaced to keep you and your family safe; no matter where your travels take you.

RV Detectors & Safety - A Guide to DIY RV Safety Inspection - Look Inside First

Starting with the Smoke alarm, Propane detector (LP) in your RV - you'll want to check that they're working, as well as checking their Expiry Date, all Propane detectors and CO carbon monoxide have expiry dates on them (some manufacturers have their detectors expire in 5 or 7 years)  Each year when getting ready to start your season, make a point to check for expired detectors and replace the batteries in Smoke alarm and keep extra batteries in the RV itself.

Next, to check is the CO detector expiry date, Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air. It is toxic. 

Lastly, move on to the fire extinguishers. Check the label(s) to ensure they haven't expired. The last thing you need is your extinguisher to fail to perform when you need it..

Next, ensure you have baking soda stationed by the stove in case of a grease fire. 

RV Detectors & Safety  - A Guide to DIY RV Safety Inspection - Are you prepared for an emergency?

It's never a bad idea to prepare for the worst and expect the best.

Given the extreme weather conditions and variations that can occur in some of Canada's most beautiful backroads, you want to be prepared in case of an emergency that occurs while you're enjoying your RV. 

If you don't already, get a first aid kit, blankets, flares, extra water, firestarter and canned food and keep it stored in your RV. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Depending on your adventure style, you may want to beef up your safety kit with bear spray, ibuprofen and Benadril in case of allergic insect bites. 

Always leave a copy of your itinerary, however minimal with someone who won't be on your trip with you so they can alert the authorities if for any reason you don't arrive at your destination safely. 

RV Detectors & Safety - A Guide to DIY RV Safety Inspection - Looking Outside the RV

Now that you've ascertained the inside has the most basic safety features working, and you've taken steps to be prepared for an emergency, let's move outside the RV and take a look to make sure the basic safety features on the outside of the vehicle are working.

Windshield wipers and fluid - visibility is key at all times - but is especially challenging during shoulder seasons when there's a lot of mud on the roads.

Lights - check your brake lights, emergency flashers and signal lights to ensure they're operational.  If any icons are lit up on the dash, be sure to attend to them before you start your trip

Tires - check the pressure in the morning before you set out. Always check your tire pressure when tires are cold (before your trip each morning). Checking a tire during the trip will give you an inaccurate pressure reading, due to " as the wheel turns going down the highway the air inside heats up and expands creating more pressure. After all they'll be transporting your loved ones and all their gear; you'll want to make sure they're in good shape. How's the tread? Do they need air?

If you've gone through this article and checked the items we've mentioned, you can go off on your adventures and rest assured you've performed the safety first, second and third RV Detectors and safety inspection with RV Discount Parts Canada! 

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