Safety

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers have different classifications. The type of fire extinguisher classification relates to the fire type.

• Class A puts out ordinary combustible fires (wood, paper, plastic, etc.)
• Class B puts out flammable liquid fires (oil, gas, petroleum, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in handheld items, etc.)
• Class C puts out electrical fires

  

• Class D puts out combustible metal fires (magnesium, titanium, potassium, lithium [LiFePO4 RV Batteries], sodium, etc.) 
• Class K puts out cooking fires ignited by flammable oil and grease.
  These work on the principle of saponification. Saponification takes place when alkaline mixtures such as potassium acetate, potassium citrate, or potassium carbonate are applied to burning cooking oil of fat.  You can also consider a Fire Suppression Blanket (see below)

 

 

 

Good fire extinguishers are labeled similar to 4-A:20-B:C. The numbers indicate the size rating of each extinguishing agent. Here’s how it works:

• Class A size rating represents the water equivalency. Each number represents 1 ¼ gallons of water. For instance, 2-A means the extinguisher is just as effective as 2 ½ gallons of water. 4-A is equivalent to 5 gallons of water.
• Class B size rating indicates the square footage the extinguisher can cover. 20-B means that as long as you sweep the nozzle side to side, there is enough extinguishing agent inside the canister to provide 20 square feet of coverage.
• Class C - There is no size rating. After all, a Class C electrical fire is nothing more than a Class A or Class B fire with energized components requiring a non-conductive extinguishing medium. To effectively fight Class C fires, choose your extinguishers based on the Class A and Class B size ratings.
• Class D - There is no size rating. The effectiveness is detailed on the nameplate based on the specific combustible metal for which the extinguisher is recommended.

Class B fire extinguishers are usually the type of fire extinguisher required on an RV because most fires are fuel related. The Class B fire extinguisher will have a 5 or 20 before it. The number refers to the square footage that the fire extinguisher will cover.

You may also want to carry a Class C fire extinguisher due to the large amount of electrical equipment and wiring. 

We prefer a fire extinguisher that is Mult-Rated A, B, and C.
We also have a seperate Class D system for the LiFePO4 RV batteries.

You must also ensure the fire extinguishers are well-maintained and work.
That’s why inspections and maintenance of these fire safety products are crucial. You’ll want to have your fire extinguishers tested and inspected regularly to ensure they work well and will be ready to go if and when you need them. Proper maintenance of the fire extinguishers is also essential to keep your extinguisher in good working order and extend the life of it.

Suggestions:

• Make a New Years Week habit to check the last maintenance date and expiration date of All your extinguishers.
  
• This is also a good time to replace any Alkaline Batteries and check for corrosion!

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Fire Suppression Blankets

These can be another item to have in your fire prevention plan, However they MUST be used correctly.

A fire blanket works by cutting off the oxygen supply to a fire, which smothers it and prevents it from burning. Fire blankets are made of fire-resistant materials, like fiberglass or Kevlar, and are often used to put out small fires in kitchens, laboratories, and workshops.  It must Totally Cover the fire to work and come in sizes suitable for use on a frying pan fire or larger ones to wrap a person in.

Note: Prepared Hero is one of many brands of fire suppression blankets.  They ALL have the same limits and considerations, and contrary to their marketing should not be reused.  Please view this Video before purchasing one

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For more information:

• National Fire Protection Association

 

General Personal Safety

Always be cautious on who you decide to meet physically - get to know them well first via several conversations here.

No matter how you know the person, when meeting someone for the first time, you should take precautions.

• Be clear about your expectations and ensure that you are both on the same page.
• Meet in a BUSY public place with good lighting, and stay in the public eye.
• Meet at the public location instead of accepting a ride from the person you are meeting.
• If the person you're talking to or chatting with insists you meet at their residence or yours, a quiet parking lot or somewhere private, this is a red flag.

Travel & Location Safety

• The Camping for Women website is an excellent source of information.   They have an article "Safety tips for road-tripping in an RV as a solo female traveler"  which we recommend everyone read (including men)
• We’re the Russos has their "RV Safety and Preparedness – Tips to Stay Safe While RVing" article which is a must read.