Your Safety-First Guide for Your Campervan Conversion
Whether you're considering buying a van to convert into a camper, or you're already in the process of doing so, this guide is for you. You will no doubt be thinking about all the things you'll need to add to your camper to make life on the road comfortable—beds, kitchen, and a bathroom are what most consider necessary. After these, you'll want the items that will make your camper feel cosy—curtains, cushions, some nice wall hangings and so on. But, have you thought of what equipment you'll need to keep you and your loved ones safe while you're on your travels?
Read on to find out what essential safety items your campervan conversion should have.
Gas Safety Equipment
If, while you're travelling, you'll be running a fridge or cooker from a gas bottle, you'll need to take the necessary precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe. Gas bottles should always be placed in a designated metal-lined enclosure. This should have a hole in the floor to allow any leaked gas to escape. A gas run fridge will usually need an exhaust pipe that attaches to an external vent. Taking these measures should be sufficient enough to keep any gas related problems from arising. However, if you want a little more insurance, consider fitting both a gas detection alarm and a carbon monoxide detector in your campervan.
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting Equipment
Even in the biggest of campervans, you're likely to spot a fire as soon as it begins. For that reason, you may not consider a fire alarm essential. However, if you're unfortunate enough to have a fire start while you're outside of your campervan, an alarm may give you time to put it out before it destroys your holiday-home.
You'll need fire extinguishers to tackle any blazes. These should be placed in easy to reach locations. One should always be situated near to your cooking area. The other can be placed wherever you feel it will be easiest to get to in an emergency.
First Aid Equipment
Wherever you're planning to travel, a basic first aid kit is essential. However, if you're planning to go off the beaten track on your travels, then this kit should be more comprehensive. Consider all that you may encounter on your travels and ensure that you have adequate equipment to cover all possible illnesses and injuries.
Essential Communication Equipment
If you're planning to travel in outback areas, you'll be unlikely to have mobile phone reception for much of your journey. For this reason, you need to think about what you'll do if you get into a situation where you need to call for help. In the event of a breakdown or medical emergency, a satellite phone could save your life.