Fire safety tips for heating season

By Chris Dougherty
Certified RV Technician and ex-fireman

The summer traveling season is over but many of us continue using our RVs into the fall and even the winter seasons, and as the temperatures drop we begin using the heating systems. It’s important to have the furnace in the RV in good working condition before you need it. Cleaning the furnace is a good idea, and check around the unit to make sure nothing has been pushed around it from inside the cabinet that can catch fire. Take a look at the vents on the outside to make sure wasps and mud daubers haven’t nested in them.
  
Many RVers use space heaters, which is fine if they’re used appropriately. Here are a few tips:
• Don't ever use extension cords with heaters unless you know they’re rated to handle the amps. Remember — amp draw increases with wiring length so have some wiggle room.
• The heater should be placed on a non-combustible surface with a few feet of space all around if possible, but at least maintain the minimums as directed by the heater manufacturer. Combustible surfaces can heat up and start to burn if exposed to the radiant heat from a heater, so be careful!

Catalytic RV heaters work well to help heat the interior space of the RV. Here are a few safety tips for those:
• Catalytic heaters consume oxygen, so there must be a supply of fresh air into the RV. Crack a window and/or roof vent. If the oxygen level drops, these heaters can start producing poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
• Maintain clearances around the heater if you use it portably versus being built in.
• Do not use fuel-burning appliances in the presence of other flammable vapors--for instance, in the garage of a toy hauler where you can smell gasoline.
• Use smaller catalytic heaters with attached small propane cylinders carefully. Be sure to turn off heater and vent the area if you smell propane.
• Make certain your LP gas, smoke and CO detectors are working and test them at least weekly while heating systems are in use.
• Make sure your RV fire extinguisher is in serviceable condition and consider adding an extra extinguisher or two depending on the size of your coach.

NEVER use cooking appliances to heat your living space.