As a solo female RVer, I get the question frequently: aren’t you scared? And, although I am not 100% “fearless,” I have to say that I mostly experience great comfort when I am camping. And, some of you know that I am also a real estate agent, so I can promise you this: compared to going on real estate appointments with people I’ve never met in strange empty houses? No contest! Camping is not something to fear. I am respectful of the possibilities and have a plan.
For starters, I am not a boondocker. That comes with a whole other list of safety ideas for another post. I am always in some sort of State Park or privately owned campground with loads of other campers. The campgrounds are sometimes gated, have park rangers cruising around at various times, a camp host on site, lighted. Other RVers have dogs who serve as awesome little alarm systems. People are genuinely looking out for each other for the most part.
I have had two experiences that scared me and I quickly learned from them: one was when my husband and I were camping midweek and ended up being the only campers in our particular loop with no camp host on-site. A “local” sniffed us out within an hour of setting up camp with the ole “have you seen my lost dog” line trying to size us up. I could not sleep a wink that night. Solution? Know where the camp host is, inquire if rangers patrol the area, is it gated and is there a curfew, etc. And the other was weather related (I live in Oklahoma, so the wind does come sweeping down the plain!). Solution? Weather radio in case cell and wifi reception are not available.
Here is my short list of things I do or have on hand to help me with peace of mind when I am on the road:
- Rechargeable police flashlight – my brother got one and I just had to have it. Lights up a city block with ease. They come in a variety of price ranges.
- First aid kit
- Weather radio and where to shelter at the campsite if needed
- Cell phone with back up battery – the weather radio can charge it, too
- Tool kit with items like duct tape, bungees, a tarp, tire gauge
- Check all of your detector batteries for carbon monoxide, LP, and smoke
- Practice opening your emergency exit window
- Emergency plan
You will be amazed how just a few items can help put your heart and head at ease. And as time goes on, you will experience and hear more ideas that will fortify your plan. What things do you do or bring that give you some peace of mind while RVing? Sound off in the comments below!
