Must-Have Safety Equipment for Food Trailers

Good safety equipment protects you, your staff, your customers, and your investment. It’s also a key part of passing both fire and health inspections. Don’t treat safety gear as an afterthought you bolt on at the end.

Fire Extinguishers

Most food trailers should carry more than one extinguisher:

• Class K extinguisher – For cooking oil and grease fires under the hood.
• ABC extinguisher – For electrical and general fires elsewhere in the trailer.

Mount them in visible, easily accessible locations and make sure staff know how to use them.

Detectors and Alarms

• Smoke detector – For early warning of fire or overheating equipment.
• Carbon monoxide detector – Critical if you run generators, propane appliances, or other combustion devices.

Test these regularly and mount them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Ventilation and Hood Systems

If you’re frying, grilling, or producing steam and smoke, you need proper ventilation. Many jurisdictions require a commercial-rated hood and, in some cases, fire suppression systems for certain cooking appliances.

Even when not strictly required, a good vent system keeps the trailer usable in hot weather and reduces grease buildup on surfaces.

Non-Slip Surfaces

Trailer floors can get slick quickly from water, cleaning solutions, and grease. Non-slip flooring or mats in key work areas reduce the risk of crew injuries and help you meet safety expectations.

First Aid and Emergency Gear

• Basic first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, and burn gel.
• Emergency contact numbers posted in an obvious spot.
• Wet floor signs or cones if you operate with customers near the trailer.

Electrical and Gas Safety

If you use propane, make sure cylinders are secured, regulators are correct for your appliances, and lines are inspected regularly. For electrical, use proper cords rated for your load, and avoid daisy-chaining cheap power strips.

Good safety gear doesn’t just satisfy inspectors. It makes your trailer safer to work in every day and signals to customers that you take their well-being seriously.