By William Coleman
With these heat waves coming in thick and fast we are going to be using our caravans and motorhomes a lot more. The more you use it the more eyes are going to see it, so make sure that you are keeping your leisure vehicle safe and sound.
So what are the best ways to keep you and the family safe when you’re away? Well this all depends on what type of accommodation you have chosen. Some families take several types at a time. I know when I was young there were times where I would stay outside in a tent having my own adventure while mum and dad slept in the van.
When I was put in the tent there were still some ground rules I had to follow, mostly safety. The safety rules were to protect both me and everyone else on the site and in vans. You never can be too safe when it comes to keeping everyone safe, especially if they are going to be just outside the caravan.
If you are going to use leisure vehicles and tents during your staycation time safe.co.uk have a few tips they want to share with us, you never know, it could just make a world of difference to your holiday experience.
- A little bit of planning ahead of your trip can go a long way and choosing a safe area should be a key consideration. Planning to set up your tent or caravan in a position that can’t be seen from the road will limit passers-by having a view of your belongings, deterring opportunistic thieves. Also, rural campsites can be a good choice for extra peace of mind as they are typically less likely to have calculated thieves nearby.
- Consider what you’re bringing with you on your trip. Fancy gadgets and valuable possessions are undoubtedly the most appealing for thieves to steal, so unless absolutely necessary perhaps consider leaving your valuables at home.
- Deter thieves by keeping valuables out of sight and try not to make it obvious that you have them whilst you’re using them. Be sure to lock them up if you plan to leave the area for any reason, as well as during the night. Additional security measures, such as window and door locks, safes and alarm systems, can also increase protection for your belongings.
- Introducing yourself to fellow campers when you arrive is not only friendly and polite, but it can also help you to have a safer trip. This tactic helps to build a sense of trust, which can be useful if you ever need another pair of eyes to watch your belongings or update you about any suspicious activity or behaviour in the area.
- Without precautions, caravan theft is surprisingly easy to pull off, which is why it’s very important to make sure that yours is secure. Wheel clamps demobilise your vehicle by attaching to the wheel and hitch lock cover and lock your towing hitch mechanisms, so both can be good investments ahead of a trip. If you are unlucky enough to have your caravan stolen, a tracking device will give you true peace of mind as it significantly improves the chances of recovery.
Anthony Neary, managing director for safe.co.uk, commented: “Most people have very happy memories of camping or caravanning holidays, but some, unfortunately, fall victim to theft, which can ruin the whole holiday.
“By following our five simple tips, hopefully, you can focus on having an enjoyable and carefree trip that you will be able to remember for years to come, instead of falling victim to theft”.
