The open road leads to awesome places. Winding country roads, quirky roadside attractions, rocky trails, high octane racetracks, quaint hamlets, forests, and let's not forget the beach! With so many miles to explore, it can be easy to forget about your fire extinguisher.
Don't Forget Your RV Fire Extinguisher
There is a reason every recreational vehicle is sold with a fire extinguisher. Fires happen in the home more than anywhere else. Just because your home has wheels for a short time doesn't mean you can ignore fire safety. In fact, that makes fire protection even more important! No one wants to deal with a fire when they're on vacation and if they have to, their extinguisher had better work.
Forgetting about your fire extinguisher until you need it is a common problem with RVs. Traditional fire extinguishers need monthly maintenance, annual inspections and they expire every 6 years. If you don't keep up, there is a very real possibility the old extinguisher that came with the RV will not work when you need it most. How often do you inspect the fire extinguishers in your RV or trailer during the winter?
💡Pro Tip: Element fire extinguishers do not require maintenance or expire.
RV Fire SafetyÂ
    
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RVs are packed with combustible materials. There is the potential for all the major fire classes like Class A (ordinary combustibles like woods & plastics), Class B (flammable liquids and gases like kerosene and propane), Class C (electrical equipment like your fridge), and Class K fires in the kitchen (grease and cooking fires). You'll want to make sure each fire extinguisher in your RV is rated for A, B, C & K class fires, just like Element fire extinguishers.
Main Causes Of RV Fires
The biggest cause of fires in recreational vehicles comes from poor maintenance. As an RV owner, make sure your electrical systems show no signs of damage and are properly maintained. Same with your mechanical systems and propane tanks. You know that knocking noise from the RV fridge? Stop giving it a sharp kick and get it serviced. Those fridges are a major cause of fires!Â
Know how to use your heaters properly and keep testing those fire detectors. If a fire does start, the sooner you're aware, the faster you can start fire suppression and extinguish the flames.
There is not a lot of room in an RV or trailer. The NFPA recommends being equipped with at least one fire extinguisher but wouldn't it be great if you could have three working fire extinguishers on board? One located within 24 inches from the entrance, one by the entrance to sleeping areas, and one under the sink. Seems impossible right? Element is only 10.75" long and 1.2" in diameter. You can easily tuck multiple Element fire extinguishers without giving up valuable space!
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Replace My RV's Portable Fire Extinguisher?
If it is an Element fire extinguisher, never! Traditional portable fire extinguishers require replacing every 6 years or so.
How Common Are Recreational Vehicle Fires?
The National Fire Protection Agency reports thousands of RV fires each year. That's why it is so important to have a fire extinguisher for your RV.
What Type If Fire Extinguisher Is Needed For An RV?
The best fire extinguisher for an RV should be rated for all the major fire classes; A, B, C & K. Many are ABC fire extinguishers but it is really important to have one with K as well for kitchen fires.
What Is The Best Fire Extinguisher For A Motorhome?
We believe the Element E50 fire extinguisher is the best for RVs, motorhomes and camping trailers. Element will extinguish the fire without creating a mess or causing additional damage. That lets you address the fire without potentially ruining your vacation.
