5 Simple Steps for Protecting Your Family During a Pandemic

At East Coast Campers and More, we are a family-owned and operated company.  Protecting our family and yours during a pandemic is SO important to us.

If you are RV camping during a pandemic, there are some steps you can take to protect your family from getting sick.

Here are 5 simple steps you can take right away to stay healthy and safe.

Go Home If You Can

If you live close to where you’re camping, you may want to head home.  If you don’t live close by, make sure to quarantine yourself for the period of time recommended by the World Health Organization when you arrive back home.

If you aren’t camping yet, stay home until the pandemic passes.

If you are RV camping, the safety precautions are similar to being at home.  Take extra precautions not to interact with people who are still traveling and try to stay put until the Pandemic passes if you can’t make it home.

Clean and Disinfect

Whether you are at home or in your RV, the recommendations are the same.  Clean surfaces with warm soapy water before you disinfect. Keep the disinfectant on the surface for at least 10 minutes before wiping off. This study shows that the virus can live on surfaces up to 2 to 3 days.

The virus has been found to stay on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to 72 hours and cardboard up to 24 hours.

That means Tupperware containers, grocery bags, doorknobs, toilet handles, and more.

Use alcohol based wipes to wipe down surfaces.

Get Outdoors

Keep your family from going stir crazy by doing outdoor activities.

Keep your distance from those around you, and don’t gather with your neighbors.

Avoid playgrounds and any surfaces that many people would be touching like railings, picnic tables, and outdoor public washrooms.

When everyone is locked down, there’s not much else you can do but get out into nature and enjoy a walk, or play with your kids outside, walk the dog, go on a hike or bike ride, and enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities.

This becomes even more important if you’re cooped up in an RV.  Whether you’re at home or camping, get outdoors when you can and get some fresh air!

Only Shop When You Need To

Grocery stores are an essential service and must stay open during a pandemic.  After all, we need to eat.

We are supposed to be keeping our distance, but that’s hard to do when EVERYONE is going to the same place to get food.

Try to keep your shopping trips to a minimum.  When you go, get what you need for at least two weeks to avoid multiple trips to the store. Use a grocery delivery service if available.

Be sure to keep your distance from other shoppers. Only touch the food items you are committed to purchasing.

Don’t touch your face while you shop, and wash all fruits and veggies with soap and water as much as possible. Wash your hands throughout the process. Wipe down all packaging, or remove products from the package immediately, then dispose of the packaging.

Here’s a link to a great video that shows the safest way to protect you and your family when bringing grocery’s or take out food into your home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKx-F4AKteE

If you want to be extra cautious, you can leave your non-perishables in your garage or car for a few days before bringing them in the house.

Make sure you wipe down your door handles and anything you touch after you come in from the store.

When you arrive back at your RV, change your clothes, wash them and take a shower to be extra cautious.

Don’t Panic

Panic leads to bad decision making.

If we adhere to all the rules set out by our governments and the World Health Organization, we can reduce the overflow of patients forced on the hospitals and health care facilities.

Keep Your Family Safe During a Crisis

The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to wash your hands thoroughly and stop touching your face.

Teach your kids the proper way to wash their hands as well.

If you’re thinking of an extended trip off the grid during a pandemic, find out more about Solar Energy in Is a Solar Panel System Right for Your RV?

We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe. We are all in this together.