“Getting away in an RV is a popular pastime of Oregonians and visitors, said State Fire Marshal Jim Walker. “However, RV users have a number of things to pay attention to in order to stay fire safe.”
The OSFM encourages RV operators to follow these fire safety guidelines:
Cooking Appliances:
* Make sure to have proper ventilation before operating the appliance.
* Open the overhead vent or turn on an exhaust fan.
* Watch what you heat. A leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking.
* Keep anything that can catch fire away from burners.
* Never use cooking appliances for heating.
If You Smell Gas:
* Check your stove knobs to make sure they are off.
* Put out all open flames (pilot lights, lamps, smoking materials, etc).
* Shut off the gas supply.
* Don’t operate electrical switches. Turning a switch on or off can create a spark and may cause an explosion.
* Open doors, windows, and vents.
* Leave the RV until the odor is gone.
* Have the gas system checked and repaired by a qualified professional.
Electric Heaters:
* All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn such as paper, furniture, bedding, or curtains, at least three feet from heating equipment.
* Use portable space heaters with an automatic shut-off , so if they are tipped over , they will shut off.
* Plug space heaters directly into an electrical outlet. Do not use extension cords or power strips.
Generator Safety:
* Check all exhaust system connections regularly for leaks and tighten as necessary.
* Make sure the generator tail pipe extends past the edge of the RV.
* Always operate the generator in an area where the wind will carry the exhaust fumes away from the RV.
* Allow the generator to cool down before refueling.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms:
* Install a CO alarm inside your RV.
* If the alarm chirps, replace the batteries of the entire alarm, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
* Replace CO alarms based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Smoke Alarms:
* Install a smoke alarm inside your RV.
* If the alarm chirps, replace the batteries of the entire alarm, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
* Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
For more RV Fire Safety information, download our brochure at http://www.oregon.gov/osp/SFM/
