Caravanning is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors; however, occasionally things can go wrong. Back in 2013, we were new to caravanning and hadn’t prepared for every eventuality.
Our sporty son (then aged seven) was playing a harmless game of football in bare feet when his sister came in with a tackle and dislocated his toe.
I ran around like a headless chicken, not knowing what to do, but my more composed husband stepped in and located the nearest hospital. Luckily, our son was seen quickly and we got back in time for a barbecue.
The moral of this story: make sure you know where to find emergency contact information when arriving on site. What follows are some of the things to be aware of, but remember, every site is different, so ask the warden if you’re unsure.
Information leaflets
From the minute you check in at your campsite, the wardens will usually issue you with an information leaflet, highlighting important tips for safety on site, which typically include local contact telephone numbers for police, A&E, walk-in centres, dentists and vets.
This information may also be found on information boards or in the site information room.
Rules of the road
A majority of sites have a speed limit of 5mph and adopt a one- way system, which applies to all road users, including bicycles and scooters, so it is important for parents to inform their children of the rules of the road.
I always remind my children that even if it is a one-way system, you should keep your eyes peeled and your ears open – especially as it has been known for some drivers to ignore the one-way systems.
In 2014, the Caravan and Motorhome Club ran a competition for its members’ children to design a poster promoting the 5mph speed limit and the ‘Hi5’ Wave. The winning poster can now be seen on the signage in over 200 club sites.
Pitching up
Reversing a caravan can be a very testing manoeuvre for some drivers. If you don’t own a reversing camera, this adds to the challenge. It is great if you can employ the help of an assistant to guide you back; however, it is advisable for the assistant to make sure that they can be seen in the driver’s mirrors at all times. Nobody should stand directly behind the caravan.
It is essential that you leave a 6m gap between caravan walls and at least 3m clear between associated equipment (car or awning) and an adjacent caravan.
This is not just for privacy reasons, but for fire safety.
If you intend to take your caravan to a music festival, you might be shocked by the intimacy of the pitching on some sites.
Don’t be afraid to insist on the 6m rule (we did!) and check before booking your trip that this can be accommodated.
Pitches come in a variety of guises; there are hedged pitches, hardstandings, pegged pitches and random pitches to choose from.
It is best to check the site pitching rules on arrival, to avoid the embarrassment of having to relocate your van once you’ve settled in.
Fire safety
Not only should your own caravan have fire safety devices such as alarms, extinguishers and fire blankets, but so should the site that you are staying on.
On most permanent sites, you will find fire points, which allow you to raise the alarm in the event of a fire.
There are various models of fire alarms to look out for, ranging from a red triangle with a striker, to a much more traditional fire-alarm bell.
In the event of a large fire, there is often a muster point or assembly areas. Be sure that after arrival, you find out exactly where these are.
Whenever we arrive at a site, we challenge our children to do a spot of site orienteering.
With map in hand, their task is to locate key things like fire safety equipment and relay that information to the rest of the family. You could even offer a prize for the best report.
On temporary sites, it is also advisable to have fire buckets next to your outfit, but do remember never to use water on electrical fires.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and highly poisonous, and can kill in minutes. It is produced by any fuel that burns or smoulders, such as barbecues.
Did you know that a barbecue can give off carbon monoxide for 12 hours after use?
The advice is to keep barbecues, gas heaters and other fossil fuel-burning appliances out of your caravan and awning altogether.
You should also ensure that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your caravan and service it regularly (at least once a year). Be aware that carbon monoxide detectors do have a replace-by date.
Hook-up cable
When you are connecting to the electricity supply, remember to hook up the caravan first, and then connect to the hook-up point. Always fully unwind the cable and carefully lay it flat on the ground, to avoid creating a trip hazard.
Coiled cables can overheat and catch fire. Any excess cable should always be placed under the caravan.
Children’s safety
Campsites can seem like a huge adventure playground to a child, so it is important they are made aware of the rules. They should not be allowed to play near toilet blocks or service points, or on other people’s pitches.
Adults are responsible for children at all times, including on any play equipment.
Final thoughts
Caravanning is great fun and accidents are thankfully rare, but remember to stay safe and be prepared.
If you want some more great tips to keep your caravan safe, be sure to head to our Back to Basics: Safe & Secure category.
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of practicalcaravan.com, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects.
Looking for the perfect touring destination to head to? Our guide to the best caravan sites is the ideal place to start, as we share some of the top locations to stay at from across the country.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Caravan magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things caravan related.
