Whether towing a caravan, charging lithium-ion batteries, or enjoying the amenities at a caravan park, planning and awareness are key to ensuring a happy and safe holiday season.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling on everyone to keep safety top of mind this summer, whether you’re planning your trip, heading out on the road, or enjoying our beautiful countryside at your favourite camping spot.
As we approach the major holiday period of the year, Caravan Industry Association of Australia is encouraging caravaners this holiday to focus is focusing 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.
Its known from the rising death tolls on our roads, 1063 Australians have lost their lives on our roads this year alone, up 12 per cent 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.
– Whilst crashes are more likely to occur in urban centres, fatalities are more likely to occur on regional roads.
“As Australians embrace the caravanning lifestyle, it’s vital we all take simple precautions to protect ourselves and others,” Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive officer Stuart Lamont said.
“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 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.
“Safety isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about respecting everyone on the road and in the communities we visit,” Mr Lamont said.
“Let’s make this Christmas season memorable for all the right reasons.”
For more safety tips and to access the latest resources, visit Let’s Go Caravan and Camping.
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 at letsgocaravanandcamping.com.au/safety/ and coexist.org.au
