RV Parks Safety Guide

RV parks are surprisingly safe. The chance of being a victim of a crime at an RV park is about 1 in 25,000. However, you should still take a few basic precautions in RV camping, so keep these tips in mind.

Drive Slowly and Vigilantly
Most RV parks have a posted speed limit of five miles per hour, and there's a good reason for that. These parks house kids and pets who might not look before darting across the road, so it's up to RV drivers to follow safe driving practices. Driving at the posted speed limit can also protect your RV, as some RV park paths are not level and may damage your suspension or cause things inside your RV to fall if you bounce your way down the road.

Lock your RV When You're out
RV parks foster a sense of community. It's easy to get caught up in the slow pace of life and the friendly conversation with neighbors when you're staying in one. Never forget that these places are accessible to the public, and lock your RV whenever you go out. This includes a trip to the vending machine, or even a walk around the park; never leave your RV unlocked when it is unattended.

Don't Leave Valuables Sitting out
Many RV campers get very comfortable in an RV park. It's tempting to let your cooking gear sit out after dinner while you're having a nice walk, or forget that you brought out other valuable gear for an excursion and left it. Don't leave valuable items sitting out for everyone to see, because it might tempt a potential thief who would otherwise leave you alone.

Privacy Can Hurt You
Some campers prefer to camp away from others for a little bit of privacy. Unfortunately, this privacy can hurt you when it comes to safety in RV parks. Staying near other campers makes it more difficult for thieves to sneak into your RV; camping on your own makes you a prime target. Keep this in mind when you're picking your camping spot.

Use a Safe
If you're really concerned about theft, one of the easiest steps you can take to protect yourself is to bring a safe to secure your valuables. A small safe doesn't take up too much space, and can easily be installed inside a cabinet or storage area. You can then leave valuable items and money locked up in the safe when you're out, and you won't have to worry about whether or not someone breaks into your RV.

Consider Security Upgrades
You can make some upgrades to your RV that drastically enhance security. One good upgrade option is motion-sensor lights. When people approach your RV at night, these lights come on automatically. You can also install an alarm that alerts people when thieves try to force their way into your RV. These items aren't expensive to install, and they provide good protection in RV parks.