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• 2005
• 30 September 2005

• Media Centre

• Media Releases

• Archive

• 2005

It's springtime, and Kiwis are starting to plan their summer holidays. That plan should include safe use and servicing of gas and electrical appliances and installations in recreational vehicles – including caravans, motorhomes, housetrucks, and even boats.

To help ensure gas and electrical safety all year, Energy Safety has published a new pamphlet on Gas and Electrical Safety in Caravans and Motorhomes. Anyone who owns, rents, sells, travels or lives in a vehicle that uses LPG or electrical appliances will find this information useful.

Safety Hints for LPG Cylinders

• Never use damaged or corroded cylinders – this can lead to leaks and fires. Check cylinders for the date stamp. By law, cylinders must be tested every ten years. If you see damage or rust, don't use the cylinder – take it to a supplier.
• Always store and use cylinders upright. Laying a cylinder on its side may allow liquid LPG to escape and create an explosion hazard.
• Keep cylinders in an enclosure that will vent any escaped gas away from the cabin and ignition sources.
• Never attempt to repair or remove cylinder valves yourself. Take it to a supplier.
• Cylinders are a fire and explosion hazard if they are exposed to extreme heat. Never incinerate a cylinder, even if you think it is empty.
• Never try to fill your own cylinder. Only trained and specially equipped people can do that safely.
• When travelling or storing a recreational vehicle, make sure you turn off the cylinder valve and then turn off all appliances.

Safety Hints for LPG Appliances

• Check copper tubing for dents, kinks and corrosion. Have repairs made before you use the appliance.
• Check hoses regularly for signs of wear like cracking, fraying or splitting. Replace them at the first signs of wear.
• Check your appliances for rust or corrosion, and have any problems fixed right away.
• If you smell the strong LPG odour, this could be a gas leak. If you smell fumes, your eyes sting, or you become dizzy and nauseous while the appliance is on, turn it off immediately and have it serviced. Don't use it again until it is fixed.
• Check the flame colour on any burner – if it is yellow instead of blue, your appliance needs servicing.
• Use soapy water and a brush to check for leaks. Never use a lit match!
• Check gas taps are turned off before going to bed.
• Check all vents are clear. Lack of ventilation can kill.
• Check all appliances are turned off when a towing vehicle is being refuelled.

Electrical and LPG Installations

Electrical installations in recreational vehicles must be carried out by a competent and licensed person. Electrical installations must have certificates of compliance or a warrant of fitness before being supplied with electricity. Get qualified service persons to install and service your gas and electrical installations, don't try to do them yourself.

If you smell smoke or fumes, or get an electrical shock from an appliance, these are warnings that there is a problem. Disconnect the vehicle from the gas or electrical supply, shut off appliances, and have everything properly checked by a qualified person.

Have a safe spring and summer and enjoy your recreational vehicles.