6 Family Safety Tips When Staying on a Caravan Site
Caravan holidays can be great fun for the whole family. Depending on the location of the site, there are a wide range of different activities to enjoy, from hiking and rock climbing to spending the day at the beach and sitting around a campfire during the cool summer evenings. But if you’re looking at staying in a caravan park, and are looking to bring your children along with you, then there are some things you should be aware of when taking your family caravanning this summer.
1. Make sure all vehicles are secure
You might be thinking that this doesn’t really fall under the element of safety, but making sure that all vehicles are secure will help to enhance, not only the safety of your own family, but others as well. This prevents vehicles from being broken into or even tampered with. There have been cases where vehicles, from cars and caravans to motorhomes and campervans, have been vandalised and parts taken without the knowledge of the owner. These thefts could render vehicles unworthy for road use, meaning they’ll pose a threat to the driver, their passengers and others in the vicinity. Making sure your vehicles are secure deters thieves from taking items either out of the car or out from underneath it.
2. Keep all valuables out of sight
Whether in the car or the caravan, make sure your valuables are stored away in drawers or cupboards. Some people get creative with where they hide their belongings, often choosing tea bag tins or biscuit jars. Alternatively, you could choose to simply leave those valuables at home in a safe place. Just as with vehicle thefts, burglars might damage your caravan to enter it, making it insecure and unsafe for you to reside in for the remainder of your holiday.
3. Make sure you have alarms fitted
Another method designed to deter thieves from targeting your vehicles and stealing your belongings, having an alarm fitted on or near the doors and windows of your caravan is a quick and simple way of keeping its contents secure. There are also alarms on the market that sound if it senses tampering, so even if someone is trying to prise the caravan door open, it’s likely that the alarm will go off before they have any chance of actually gaining access to your caravan.
4. Don’t let children roam the park on their own
If you’re bringing children with you on your caravan trip, make sure they’re always accompanied by an adult when roaming the site. They should never be allowed to explore the area on their own. Nor should they be allowed to go to communal shower areas by themselves. Make sure to supervise your children at all times, no matter the duration or how far they’re wanting to go.
5. Be aware of hazards in the area
Caravan sites have their own hazards that you should be aware of. They’ll differ somewhat from ones experienced at home or even in a hotel. Some of the hazards that you should be aware of when holidaying in a caravan park includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Open flames from campfire or barbeques
- Electrical wires used to power generators, for example
- Awnings
- ground or surfaces
- Gas canisters
- Wildlife
- Plantlife
- Bodies of water
- Makeshift playground equipment, such as swings tied with rope from a tree trunk
6. Be aware of the risks & threats of carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning has always been considered a threat in caravan parks, although this is something that’s less common in this day and age, as we find alternative ways of powering and heating caravans. Despite that, it’s imperative that you’re aware of the risks and signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. The mild-to-severe symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are as follows:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Stomach pains
- Shortness of breath
- Vertigo
- Breathlessness
- High heart rate
- Feeling as though they’re intoxicated
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
In order to reduce the likelihood carbon monoxide poisoning, you should:
- Never take a barbeque into the caravan (or a tent) and do not place it under awnings and other coverings
- Do not use fuel-burning methods of heating your caravan – they should only be used outdoors
- You should never run a petrol, diesel or gas-powered generator inside the caravan
- Never cook over a fire inside a caravan or under any covering
- Always ensure your gas appliances are serviced yearly by a competent professional
- Make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm present at all times, placed at a height
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