Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summertime festivities. RVers all around the country are heading out into the great outdoors to enjoy their favorite camping pastimes. Campgrounds are highly congested over the holiday weekend. So how do you keep your family safe?

There are a few precautions and basic safety measures that you can use to keep your loved safe while RV camping this memorial day weekend.

Risks of Memorial Day Camping

Memorial Day weekend often marks the beginning of the RV camping season for many families across the country. An increased number of campers can result in congested hiking trails and pools, and result in heightened criminal occurrences.

Camping during Memorial Day weekend also decreases police and Emergency Medical Services response time in the event of an accident. 9-1-1 emergency services were reported to have responded to over 6400 calls in just one annual holiday weekend.

Campers at overcrowded campgrounds are also notorious for parking in undesignated spaces and/or the road. This is a poor decision that can have disastrous consequences in an emergency. Parking in undesignated spaces often blocks roadways and prevents emergency vehicles from navigating through the campground.

Avoid State and National Parks

State and National Parks are popular camping locations and will undoubtedly be overcrowded over Memorial Day weekend.

Avoid popular camping locations and plan to visit a lesser-known campground. Look online for sites with few reviews and use the holiday weekend as an excuse to take a chance by traveling to a new location.

Avoid Traffic

Check online travel forecasts to avoid driving during peak holiday travel times. AAA provides travelers with regular updates, including peak travel dates, times, and locations. Use this information to choose the safest times for your family to be on the road.

Use a Buddy System

Busy campgrounds may be an unavoidable reality when camping over memorial day weekend. The best way to protect your loved ones is to remain aware of your campground surroundings at all times. Implement a buddy system by traveling in pairs when navigating the campgrounds. This will reduce the likelihood of a criminal occurrence and ensure that someone is always aware of each family member’s whereabouts.

Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide Dangers

It is critical to always be aware of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless. This toxic gas results from the incomplete burning of fuels. Many RV camping items have the potential to release carbon monoxide, including generators and fuel-powered equipment.

Never use fuel powered-equipment inside your RV. Learn the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning to protect your family.

Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Drowsiness

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. Move all family members to fresh air and call 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred.

Implement Fire Safety Rules

There are several things that are important to remember while RV camping to protect your family from a fire.

• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Keep all flames, including candles, out of reach of children.
• Never add lighter fluid to an existing fire.
• Build campfires at least 15 feet away from your RV.
• Do not light fireworks at a campground.

Burn bans are put into effect when there is a high risk of forest fires. Check burn notices daily during your campground stay.

Practice Water Safety

Increased crowd sizes also lead to higher numbers of people swimming in pools, beaches, and other waterways. It is imperative that you and your loved ones practice water safety during these peak campground hours. Keep young children within arm’s reach and teenagers within sight at all times.

Each family member should wear an approved life vest on a boat, kayak, and/or any other water vessel. Life vests are critical in the event of an emergency regardless of swimming abilities.

Protect Your Family Financially

Protect your family’s financial wellness over memorial day weekend with a few basic financial tips. These tips were developed to help you save money on essential items, including gasoline, food, and campground stays.

Save Money on Essentials

Gas prices increase to all-time highs over holiday weekends. Remote gas stations generally offer lower fuel prices than ones near major attractions, including campgrounds. Save money on your RV gasoline expenses by filling up your gas tank outside before arriving in major cities

You should also stock up on essential food and beverage items before arriving at your destination. Dining in local eateries due to failed meal planning can quickly add up to unnecessary expenses. These items are generally more expensive at supermarkets located near major campgrounds.

Save on Campground Fees

Campground memberships save RVers money on campground fees at locations across the nation. Campground memberships offer special member-only discounting, rewards, and helps to ensure that your family chooses the safest and cleanest camping locations.

Campground Membership Outlet

Invest in a campground membership program that meets your family’s unique travel needs. Campground Membership Outlet has been helping RVers save money for over 20 years. Contact Campground Membership Outlet today and learn more about how to protect your family’s financial wellness this Memorial Day weekend.