RV Fire Safety

Mac does a great seminar if you are ever at a rally where he is presenting info on fire safety, it's well worth your time. We have mounted "automatic" extinguishers in the engine, generator and refrigerator compartments. Also several hand held...but remember you have very little time to escape. We check our escape windows at least once a year for stuck seal conditions.

I have AFFF in the bedroom, another by the door, Halon in the Kitchen, and an ABC from Costco next to the recliner. Not much more that can be done.

smacdiesel....I bought a mixture...Kidde and First Alert...A B C.

I also bought a jogger table off Ebay and use it to vibrate them every six months or so because they will tend to get packed down.

Many years ago I came upon a building that a Hobo had just set fire to in a wooden doorway and was able to get it put out before the place burned down.

You never know when you'll need one. Handy to have when you are traveling and come up on a wreck. Especially if some one is trapped.

ArchHoagland wrote:
I carry five fire extinguishers...two by the entrance door, one in a bay on each side of the coach and one in the toad.

The fire extinguisher that came with your RV is almost useless.

Discovered that years ago when I blew two tires on a travel trailer at the same time and they almost caught on fire.

So go get some good extinguishers and practice using one with the family so they all know how to use it.

What brand and type fire extinguishers did you buy, was just thinking about that topic, it amazes me how unprepared we can be when it comes to fires. Thanks!

I carry five fire extinguishers...two by the entrance door, one in a bay on each side of the coach and one in the toad.

The fire extinguisher that came with your RV is almost useless.

Discovered that years ago when I blew two tires on a travel trailer at the same time and they almost caught on fire.

So go get some good extinguishers and practice using one with the family so they all know how to use it.

Children sleep more soundly than adults and I watched a video that clearly showed this. The parents were in the video. They set off a fire alarm. The kids did not stir.

There are fire alarms that record the mom's or dad's voice telling them there is a fire, get out now, wake up, get out now.. type message. The same parents recorded a message into the fire alarm and then the video shows how the kids woke up instantly when the alarm went off because they recognized their parents voices and followed the instructions.

As I firefighter there are good suggestions above. Just as we all should do at home, children and adults.need to know what to do and where to go and meet the rest of the family. It is vital to get out asap!
If you have a fire extinguisher, it should be mounted at the front door. You do not want to go inside and try to find it if it's stored some where else.
Stay safe. Doug

If you have kids I'd teach them to go away from the fire and to crawl out. This could add 30 seconds of breathable air. They also need to know how to unlock and open the front door with their eyes closed. I would have the toad/car as the meeting place.

You do need to open your safety windows, but until you know if they are hinged you need someone outside capable of holding it from falling. I sprayed my rubber seals with silicone after I finally got them open 7-8 years ago and they still open easily and fortunately they are hinged so checking them is easy.

If you decide to try and put a fire out you need to attack the base of it and you should be able to move towards it. If you have to back away, it's past time to GET OUT.

If they are mid-ship and there are exits at both ends, then you teach them both exits and tell them "go in the opposite direction of the fire and get out". The last thing you want is for them to head towards your bedroom when the fire is on that end.

The point of meetup outside should be far enough away that they are protected from anything exploding, but close enough that they can easily see you, a police officer or fireman. And they should be taught not to leave the area with a stranger unless it's a police officer. They should not go off with a camp host, other camper, etc. unless you can give them those instructions yourself (or your wife).

I would disagree with teaching them to come to the back bedroom to you. It's just like any other emergency, GET OUT. I wouldn't "drill" into my children to come to the back bedroom. What if that's actually where the flames are, and they run right into it? Fire drills are to train us how to get out now. You can make the decision on how to reach them. Practice fire drills and have a specified regroup area. That way when everyone gets out they meet at a spot clear of the motorhome and clear of danger. Make it a spot that is always away from the front end, or back end. A common direction that everyone always knows to go.