Have a Shock-free Caravan Holiday
[ Last Updated 9 March 2006 ]
If you're going to be getting away from it all this Easter or school holidays you might be planning to stay in a caravan. But to make sure the only dramas you have are fun ones, there are some precautions you should take to ensure you and your family have a safe holiday.
Several people have died in New Zealand because caravans were incorrectly hooked up to an electricity supply – make sure your caravan is hooked up correctly and remember the following safety tips:
- Caravans must have a current warrant of electrical fitness before they can be connected to a power supply. The person who hooks up the caravan is responsible for making sure it has a current warrant, even if they are not the caravan's owner. You can get a warrant from a licensed electrical worker.
- If the power supply box you want to use is damaged, don't plug in to it. Always switch off the supply box before plugging in and check you've disconnected before driving off.
- When connecting to a caravan socket outlet you should use an isolating transformer, or a Residual Current Device (RCD) that will automatically disconnect the power in the event of a fault. These will protect you from electrical shocks.
- Only use approved cords, plugs and sockets to hook up your caravan. Using an ordinary extension cord is dangerous. If you're hooking the caravan up to your house or garage, get a licensed electrical worker to install the right socket for the
caravan's power supply lead. - If you want to run appliances in the caravan's awning, get a weatherproof socket, protected by an RCD, installed outside the caravan. Running extension cords through doors and windows is dangerous.
Also, remember that gas cooking and lighting appliances must be used only in well-ventilated areas because they produce poisonous carbon monoxide (a colourless, odourless gas). So make sure plenty of windows are open while you are cooking or
using any other gas appliance in your caravan or in any other confined space. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can kill.
Have a safe, fun holiday!
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