Preparing for an Emergency

No one can really plan for an Emergency but I try to make sure that we are prepared in case of an emergency.

1. Before I depart & during intermediaary  I will  do a pre trip inspection of my vehicle aka "pre trip" 
• Interior
• Fire Extinguisher
• All cabinets securely  closed
• Refrigerator securely closed
• Nothing on the counters that will slide off
• All entry/exit doors are properly closed and locked before I drive off
• Exterior
• All lights work (clearance, brake, turn signals, head light & tail light)
• All tires look properly inflated. I use a TPMS just to make sure
• All bay doors are closed and locked
• The awning is in its proper place
• I take a few steps away from the RV and just take a look to see if anything is off (is it leaning one way or another or if there is anything leaking)
2. I have a 1-Pager stored in various parts of my motorhome called Fast Facts. My Fast Facts sheet includes the following information. The thought is that in case that I am incapacitated or not available my loved ones can have all of the "handy" information at their finger tips
• Owners Names & Contact Information
• Emergency Contact Information
• RV Spec's (length, height...etc)
• Insurance Information (RV & Toad)
• Road Side Assistance Information 
3. Sleep for the driver-One of the biggest dangers on the road are drivers who have not had enough sleep. I can easily cite statistics or include news articles about accidents that have happened because a driver of one of the vehicles did not have enough sleep. My tips to making sure that I get a good nights sleep.
1. Plan my activities-Make sure that the day before I am scheduled to drive I do everything possible to exert as much energy as possible that way I can easily fall right into bed and sleep.
2. Avoid alcohol as much as possible-I enjoy a few glasses or pints while camping but I typically will cut down or out the amount of alcohol before the night before a big drive
3. Make my bedroom as comfy or cozy as possible. Personally I enjoy a warm bed in a cooler than average bedroom (that is why I am hoping to have more cross ventilation in the new RV) 
4. Cut down or out as much extra noise as possible-I will typically let the kids know that I have to drive in the morning and for everyones safety can they keep it down so that I can get a god nights sleep
4. Go to the Bathroom before departing! Nothing is worse than being stuck on a major highway and you have to go to the bathroom. Your focus now shifts from the safe operation of this vehicle to your bodily functions.

When all else fails my motto is that I am not a brain surgeon that needs to rush into surgeon and save someones life. If I have to sleep in or sleep or catch cat naps at local rest stops then so be it. The safety of my family & others on the road takes precedent over an on time arrival.