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Fall For Fire Safety

Fall is many folks’ favorite season, and why not? Spiced pumpkin lattes; multicolored forests; and pumpkins and gourds and cornstalks galore. In cooler climates, people start spending more time indoors. So, it seems appropriate to mention fire safety, too.

October is Fire Prevention Month. In addition, Fire Prevention Week — October 6-12 in 2024 — is observed each year during the week of October 9 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871. The exact cause of that devastating blaze was never determined (though you may have heard that Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicked over a lantern to start it).

The National Fire Protection Association reminds us that it’s better to be proactive than reactive. Fire emergencies can occur anytime, anywhere. So, be prepared. Also, eliminate as many fire hazards as possible. If a fire does occur in your RV or stationary home, remember to ACT: Assess the situation. Choose the best action. Take action.

Read on for valuable tips on how to protect yourself from fire. We’ve also included some fall-ish recommendations and FMCA-specific info that we hope you find valuable.

Have fun. Stay safe!

The FMCA Team

Prevent Fires

The National Fire Protection Agency estimates that nearly 2,000 RV fires occur annually. What can RVers do to avoid falling victim to a fire?

First, be prepared. Don’t assume it won’t happen to you. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on board the RV, and if you’re adding one, check that it’s approved for RV use. You should also have a carbon monoxide alarm on board, as well as a propane detector if your RV is equipped with propane appliances.

Another must-have are fire extinguishers capable of helping to put out a decent-size fire. The extinguishers that come with new RVs often are too small to do much good. And it’s best to have more than one. Place an extinguisher near the exit, in the bedroom, in the galley, and in an unlocked outside storage compartment. It’s also a good idea to keep one in your towed/towing vehicle. Your personal safety and that of your family is the priority. So, it may be wise to just evacuate and call for help versus trying to fight the fire yourself.

The National Park Service offers this list of ideas for preventing and surviving an RV fire. Gather even more tips in this RV Fire Safety article from Family RVing magazine. Now is a good time to review this material and make a fire safety plan with your family.

RV-Related Recall Information

Looking for the latest RV-related recall information? Visit FamilyRVingmag.com for a list of the most recent recalls issued by RV and component manufacturers. To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, model, and VIN, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is (888) 327-4236.

Up And Autumn!

Take to the road and celebrate fall! Here are some ideas to get you started.

According to writer Jeff Crider on Go RVing’s blog, some of the best campground activities take place in autumn. RVers of all ages may especially enjoy Halloween-themed weekends full of fun: contests for best costumes or campsite decorations; haunted trails and haunted houses; “Monster Mash” dances, etc. For example, in California, the Temecula KOA at Vail Lake hosts Halloween happenings on weekends throughout October. In Ohio, Hocking Hills Jellystone Park offers trick or treating, a “magic pumpkin patch,” and more.

Jeff also suggests finding scenic routes to savor the fall colors. These include Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway in Heber Valley, Utah; Lake Superior Scenic Byway in Wisconsin; Letchworth State Park in New York; and the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, to name a few. See route descriptions, including campgrounds, here.

The 15 family-friendly campgrounds in the Spacious Skies network also welcome guests with themed weekend activities. In October, they revolve around Halloween. November weekends will celebrate “Hollywood,” “Glow In The Dark,” “Prehistoric Park,” “Music Mania,” and “Gathering With Gratitude.”

Evening magic awaits this fall in Commerce Township, Michigan, near Detroit: the Glenlore Trails “Enchanted” Themed Forest Experience. A one-mile, accessible trail features “wistful wraiths, frolicking fairies, and the weird wayward witch of the woods,” as the night is transformed in an array of light and sound. It’s open Thursday through Sunday evenings through November 3. After that, “Enchanted” gives way to “Aurora,” a wintery walk in the illuminated forest.

If you don’t have to hang up the keys for the season just yet, enjoy an RV trip to discover the delights of fall!

Important Medical & Travel Assist Update

The FMCAssist Medical Emergency & Travel Assistance program has a new name, a new provider, and a new phone number! Now called simply Medical & Travel Assist, the program is being administered by Arch Insurance. The new phone number to call for assistance services is (844) 289-3442 in the U.S. and Canada; (443) 901-4691 (international, collect). No other RV organization provides a valuable program like this as part of membership dues! To learn more, visit fmca.com/medical-and-travel-assist.

NEW! RV Basics Advanced

The RV Basics team has developed a new course for RV owners who have already completed the first level of instruction. RV Basics Advanced will be offered for the first time to RV Basics graduates just after the Family RV Association convention in Perry, Georgia, next March. The hands-on two-day class will build on the education provided during the original RV Basics classes. Participants must have completed the first workshop to be eligible for the advanced learning opportunity. For more information about RV Basics and RV Basics Advanced, check out FMCA.com/academy.

SoftStartRV

SoftStartRV can help RV owners to keep their cool — literally. The device enables an RV air conditioner to start and run on a generator, inverter, or limited utility power when it would have otherwise not started. It does this by temporarily reducing the load and torque in the electric current rush of the motor upon start-up. This results in less stress on the system and extends its life. FMCA members receive a discount on the device. To learn more, visit fmca.com/softstartrv.

Downtown Riverside RV Park, C11584

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Why not try an urban camping alternative, conveniently located off interstates 30 and 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas? This secure, gated facility is open year-round and boasts views of the Arkansas River. Plus, it’s within walking distance of downtown North Little Rock, including the historic Argenta Arts District. RV sites are available with water, 50-amp electric, and sewer hookups; some have concrete pads. Free Wi-Fi, a dump station, a clubhouse with laundry facilities, men’s and women’s restrooms with showers, and a pickleball court are among the amenities. Rally planners also might like to know that guests have free access to a 70-foot-by-50-foot covered pavilion.

Join FMCA Today for Exclusive RV Perks and a Thriving Community! Learn more here.

"We Set An RV On Fire"

What?! It’s true. Authors/bloggers Marc and Julie Bennett of RV Love bought a used motorhome for $1 to purposely set it on fire, as shown in this video. After extensive preparations and precautions, and with professional firefighters present, the coach was ignited. Interior cameras caught the progression of the burn. Their goal? To show how quickly an RV fire can become deadly. The video also describes common causes of RV fires, fire hazards in sticks-and-bricks homes, and how to prevent RV fires — with the use of smoke/CO alarms, surge protectors, and other products, for example.

Happiness Is A "Peanuts" Corn Maze

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the beloved “Peanuts” gang created by Charles Schulz, more than 75 farms across the U.S. and Canada have created corn mazes featuring Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown, and other characters. Access a list of farm locations here.

Let's Get Crafty!

Anyone else out there love fall most of all? It’s a great time for RV travel and other outdoor activities. It might also be a fun time to explore your creative side by trying out some fall crafts.

If you have kids on board, some simple projects could help to keep them occupied. In Falling For Campsite Crafting, Andrea Coulter suggests teaching children the magic of leaf and bark rubbings. Other than trees and leaves, all you need for your creations are some tracing paper and crayons. She also provides instructions for using leaves to make an impression in clay and craft hanging ornaments as keepsakes or gifts.

For older kids or the grownups in the group, consider this DIY fabric-covered pumpkins craft. It uses Mod Podge to decorate faux pumpkins with strips of fabric. You can use scraps of material you might have on hand or make a trip to the fabric store and select whatever strikes your fancy.

For other fun ways to embrace and celebrate the season, look to this list from Good Housekeeping: 61 fall activities to keep you busy all autumn long.