78312

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling for safety awareness to be a top priority this festive season - from towing a caravan, charging lithium-ion batteries, or enjoying the amenities of a caravan park, planning and awareness are key to ensuring a happy and safe holiday season.

As the major holiday period of the year draws near, Caravan Industry Association of Australia is encouraging caravaners this holiday to focus on:

• Pre-Planning: Emphasising the importance of vehicle servicing and safe towing practices.
• Road Safety: Highlighting measures for staying safe while travelling on the roads, and taking regular breaks.
• Water Safety: Promoting awareness around staying safe in and around water.
• Caravan Holiday Park Shared Spaces Safety: Encouraging responsible behaviour and safety in communal areas within  caravan parks.

1063 Australians have lost their lives on our roads this year alone, up 12% on 2023 (ABS). The top three contributing factors leading to this loss of life is the fatal three, inattention, speed and fatigue.  Road Safety Research indicates:

• Road users are most likely to have a crash on Monday or Sunday as drivers return from their holidays.
• Crashes are most likely to occur between 10am and midday.
• While crashes are more likely to occur in urban centres, fatalities are more likely to occur on regional roads.

Stuart Lamont, Chief Executive of Caravan Industry Association of Australia notes “as Australians embrace the caravanning lifestyle, it’s vital we all take simple precautions to protect ourselves and others.

“By planning ahead and following safety guidelines, we can ensure the festive season is a time of joy and adventure.

“We want to want to make sure caravan and campers have the most amazing summer break, but importantly we want everyone to get back home safely. That is why we have developed a comprehensive list of top tips to having a safe summer holiday.”

Top Safety Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Holiday
Battery Safety  

Lithium-ion batteries power many caravan essentials, but improper use can lead to serious hazards, including fires.

• Use the correct charger supplied by the manufacturer—avoid cheap replacements.
• Never charge unattended, in direct sunlight, or overnight.
• Inspect batteries for damage such as swelling or leaks. If damaged, have them checked by a professional.
• Be prepared for emergencies with a working smoke alarm and a clear evacuation route.

A comprehensive guide to Lithium-ion batteries usage can be found at Lithium-Ion Review 

Towing Safety
With nearly one million registered caravans on Australian roads, towing safety is paramount.

• Consider taking  a towing course if new to towing or simply to refresh your skills
• Know your weights and make sure your load is balanced – this helps with towing safety and braking distance.
• Always use caravan mirrors to monitor your surroundings and ensure you leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others.
• UHF – if you have one, use it to communicate with other heavy vehicles. Displaying you channel number on the back of your caravan is helpful to others. Channel 40 is a dedicated heavy vehicle channel

Free towing handbooks and guides are available at Let’s Go Caravan and Camping. 

Getting to your destination safely
Fatigue and distractions are major contributors to road accidents, particularly over long distances.

• Rest every two hours during your trip to avoid fatigue. Use designated rest stops, not truck rest areas. Pre-planning you rest stops is important here, fatigue management is key.
• Avoid distractions, make sure the kids are occupied, and your music playlists are set before departing – or designate DJ duties to your passenger.
• Stick to safe speeds and watch for changing road conditions.
• Road safety statistics reveal that accidents are most likely to occur between 10 am and 12 noon on Sundays and Mondays. Stay alert during these peak times.
• Make sure you are rested – we have mentioned this already, but its super important!

Learn more about safe road practices through resources like Coexist. 

Pool and Caravan Park Safety
Caravan parks are fantastic for family holidays but come with their own safety considerations:

• Supervise children at all times around pools and shared spaces.
• Store lithium-powered devices like e-bikes and e-scooters safely, away from caravan exits, and avoid charging them indoors.
• Be mindful of fire risks by keeping BBQs and open flames well away from vehicles and structures.

Learn more about safe practices at caravan parks through resources like Caravan Park Safety 

A Community Effort for Safety
Caravan Industry Association of Australia has collaborated with state associations, safety regulators, and holiday park operators to provide free resources, including videos, quizzes, and towing guides. With over 16 million annual caravan trips recorded in 2024, promoting safe practices is a shared responsibility for all road users.

Lamont adds “Safety isn’t just about protecting yourself - it’s about respecting everyone on the road and in the communities we visit. Let’s make this Christmas season memorable for all the right reasons.”

Caravan Industry Association of Australia in partnership with other state caravan associations, professional service providers and other relevant bodies such as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and Queensland Trucking Association, provide free to access consumer digital and print educational assets.

This information is available through easy to digest videos, engaging online quizzes and written content across email, social media, and digital platforms.

Each year tens of thousands of Towing handbooks are distributed free of charge.

For more safety tips and to access the latest resources, visit Let’s Go Caravan and Camping.

Related Articles

5th August 2024 - Leadership transition announced for Caravan Industry Association

7th November 2023 - New partnership looks to improve caravan industry accessibility

4th September 2023 - Caravan Industry Association of Australia advises of insurance cover for jumping pillow and playgrounds

9th August 2023 - Caravan industry body releases roadmap to guide holiday parks out of insurance hard cycle

29th June 2023 - Caravan Industry Association data shows surge in trips across Australia

18th May 2023 - Caravan Industry awards recognise ongoing commitment of individuals and organisations

1st May 2023 - Caravan Industry National Conference to stage Insurance Summit

28th March 2023 - Report shows Australia’s caravan industry remains strong

13th March 2023 - Caravan Industry Association of Australia commences salesperson accreditation  

14th February 2023 - Caravan Industry Association of Australia welcomes Federal Government funding

8th April 2020 - Caravan Industry promotes socially responsible initiative this Easter

26th October 2016 - Caravan Industry Association highlights why holidays must be accessible for all

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.