Travel Trailers Need Attention in Winter
Safety is an issue during heating season
Release Date: February 11, 2006
Release Number: 1603-340
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With the coldest weather of the season fast approaching, some special precautions are in order for residents of travel trailers and mobile homes. At night residents should leave one faucet trickling into a sink so that the outdoor pipes or hoses won't freeze and burst. Home improvement and building supply stores recommend that pipes and hoses get a warm blanket if they are outdoors or under the house. Inexpensive commercial wrappings are available, or you can make your own pipe blanket out of a few sheets of newspaper and a plastic cover to keep the paper from getting wet. Use duct tape to wrap it all up. And find out where the water shuts off outside the trailer in case of a problem.
Experts also advise residents of trailers to avoid kerosene heaters. Trailers are equipped with propane heaters which are safe and efficient. Using the oven or a kerosene heater for heat could lead to serious accident or injury. The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) urge folks in travel trailers and mobile homes to use only the built in propane heater and to avoid using kerosene heaters or cooking grills indoors.
"Residents who are new to their trailer homes need to practice safety at all times," said Scott Wells, federal coordinating officer for the Louisiana disaster recovery. Use of improper equipment can cause fatal carbon monoxide buildup or even an explosion. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that causes dizziness, headaches and death. These precautions are recommended to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in any home:
- Make sure the carbon monoxide detector is working correctly;
- Make sure the heater vents on the outside of the trailer or house are not blocked or covered;
- Never use a gas grill, camp stove or charcoal grill indoors for any purpose;
- Never run a generator indoors or even outdoors near an open window;
- Never use the gas oven in the kitchen to heat any type of home.
Safety experts offered several year round fire prevention tips for residents of travel trailers and all other homes:
- If it doesn't seem safe, don't do it;
- Know where the propane shutoff valve is located and how to shut it off;
- Keep flammable materials away from the stove top;
- Keep all children and pets away from heaters to avoid burns;
- Make sure the smoke alarm is working and replace batteries twice a year;
- Know where the fire extinguisher is in the unit and learn how to use it;
- Shut off all appliances before leaving home;
- Learn how to use the emergency window opening devices in the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline or other flammable liquids in or under the trailer;
- Do not store gasoline-powered vehicles or equipment in the trailer;
- Never smoke in bed.
Now that cold weather is here, if you go to the store to round up pipe insulation, consider picking up a roll or two of weather-stripping to make your windows and doors more snug. You'll save a bunch of money on heating and you'll be free of drafts.
"It takes time to get familiar with new surroundings and we want everyone to be comfortable and safe this winter," said FEMA's Scott Wells. "If anyone in a travel trailer or mobile home feels their health or safety is in danger, they should leave immediately and contact emergency officials." To obtain maintenance or repairs, trailer residents should check the information kit that came with their trailer and call the phone number for their maintenance service.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 13-Feb-2006 10:11:01