Three Ways to Prevent Falls in your RV
03-23-2018
Author: in Education
Mishaps occur and it’s not until after the fact that plans are put in place to prevent future predicaments. Falls are one of those unfortunate happenstances. We have heard of fellow RVers breaking bones due to falls and personally experienced close calls, walking away with minor bruises or cuts. Instances occurred in the most mundane situations like entering/exiting the RV or getting up from a chair to retrieve an item. Although they were impossible to predict at the time, many could have been prevented by utilizing a few tools and routine practices.
Improve the slip resistance on your floors.
Perhaps the most common type of fall we have heard of involves the use of stairs. Applying some form of no slip material often alleviates many unnecessary tumbles and visits to the emergency room. Products vary and can be as simple as applying stick on carpet, rubber, and even glow-in-the-dark treads. In the same way, non slip rubber mats are excellent for shower floors, and slip resistant rugs are safer than any old throw rug.
If you happen to find yourself staying in areas of unfavorable weather, including periods of freezing temperatures where there is a potential for ice, sprinkling road salt on your outside steps is ideal. The course salt prevents water from freezing and ice from forming. Ice plus steps equals figure skating disaster!
One word of caution: for all the safety features that road salt prevents, it does cause havoc on your rig like rust. Prevent corrosion from occurring by washing off any and all salt deposits once the weather improves. If you happen to find any rust, slap on a layer or two of anti-rust coating like Rust-Oleum.
Secure handrails.
Handrails or grab bars are typically found in three main areas of an RV: next to the entryway, running along a set of steps, and inside a shower. These are primary places where someone would need assistance due to notable changes in flooring, height and resistance. Make sure these bars are properly mounted and secured. This coupled with slip resistant flooring are key to preventing falls.
Handrails situated outside are typically made of metal. Metal is a good conductor.When the weather is sweltering hot, the metal is scorching. When the weather turns frigid, the metal is ice cold. This can be a huge distraction for someone trying to simply climb their steps to get into the RV. Using something as simple as a pool noodle to wrap the bar can solve the hot potato/cold potato dilemma.
Light the way.
Seeing where you are taking your next step is vital to keeping your balance, especially at night. We may plug in a nightlight or keep the stove overhead light on for late night snacking or trips to the bathroom. There have been a number of times where one or the other has tripped over our sleeping dog or stepped on something long forgotten. In any case, having even a little illumination can aid in spotting an obstacle before it becomes your obstacle.
There are still many more ways to prevent falls in your RV. What are some preventative measures you use to stay safe?
Improve the slip resistance on your floors.
Perhaps the most common type of fall we have heard of involves the use of stairs. Applying some form of no slip material often alleviates many unnecessary tumbles and visits to the emergency room. Products vary and can be as simple as applying stick on carpet, rubber, and even glow-in-the-dark treads. In the same way, non slip rubber mats are excellent for shower floors, and slip resistant rugs are safer than any old throw rug.
If you happen to find yourself staying in areas of unfavorable weather, including periods of freezing temperatures where there is a potential for ice, sprinkling road salt on your outside steps is ideal. The course salt prevents water from freezing and ice from forming. Ice plus steps equals figure skating disaster!
One word of caution: for all the safety features that road salt prevents, it does cause havoc on your rig like rust. Prevent corrosion from occurring by washing off any and all salt deposits once the weather improves. If you happen to find any rust, slap on a layer or two of anti-rust coating like Rust-Oleum.
Related Read: Stepping Up Your RV Flooring
Secure handrails.
Handrails or grab bars are typically found in three main areas of an RV: next to the entryway, running along a set of steps, and inside a shower. These are primary places where someone would need assistance due to notable changes in flooring, height and resistance. Make sure these bars are properly mounted and secured. This coupled with slip resistant flooring are key to preventing falls.
Handrails situated outside are typically made of metal. Metal is a good conductor.When the weather is sweltering hot, the metal is scorching. When the weather turns frigid, the metal is ice cold. This can be a huge distraction for someone trying to simply climb their steps to get into the RV. Using something as simple as a pool noodle to wrap the bar can solve the hot potato/cold potato dilemma.
Light the way.
Seeing where you are taking your next step is vital to keeping your balance, especially at night. We may plug in a nightlight or keep the stove overhead light on for late night snacking or trips to the bathroom. There have been a number of times where one or the other has tripped over our sleeping dog or stepped on something long forgotten. In any case, having even a little illumination can aid in spotting an obstacle before it becomes your obstacle.
Related Read: The Benefits of LED Lighting for Your Coach
There are still many more ways to prevent falls in your RV. What are some preventative measures you use to stay safe?
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Author: Levi and Natalie Henley
