Auto Fire Safety: What Every Car Owner Should Know

When you say the word fire, you’d immediately imagine a burning building or home, as most fires do occur in these places. But do you know what? These are not the only places where fire happens. Fire can also take place in your own car, which is why auto fire safety is something that every car owner and driver should be aware about.

The thing is, cars are equipped with combustible and flammable materials and it can easily explode under certain conditions. Not only that, cars are also often targets of arson. Why? For one, cars are often left alone especially during the night. Others light up fire on cars for revenge or jut the thrill of it.

Whatever reason or situation, auto fire safety is an important matter that should not be taken lightly. Here are some things about it that every person who owns or drives a car should know about.

Preventive Measures

As they say, prevention is better than cure. It is not any different for car fires. To prevent fire in your car, always check the fuel lines for signs of cracks, splits, or deterioration. Be sure to replace worn out fuel lines with new ones. Always keep the engine compartment clean and free from oil spills and fluid leaks. Clean the inside of the car as well. Take out trash from under the seats and on the floor. Cigarettes should also be disposed of properly, as they are some of the leading causes of car fires in the country.

Fire Protection

A car fire extinguisher should be mounted in between or under the front seats. You need to install it properly and not having it roll on the floor of your car. Choose an extinguisher that is suitable for flammable liquids and gases so you don’t have anything to worry about. A powder fire extinguisher is the best choice because it is also capable of fighting fires that involve solid organic materials like clothing and furnishing. Since your car is also equipped with this material, you will find great use for this extinguisher. Buying the wrong type may result in worsening of the fire and injuries to the user. Water and wet chemical fire extinguishers for example are not ideal to be used for car fires.

Emergency Procedures

If a fire breaks out in your car, the first thing to do is to stop the car and get out of it immediately. If the fire is still small and not yet spreading, and you have the right fire extinguisher inside your car, after getting out, you can use the extinguisher to put out the fire. Be sure to stay at a safe distance from the vehicle when doing so. Right after the fire has been extinguished, call the fire department and inform them about the location of the fire. Whatever happens, never go back inside the burning automobile to retrieve any personal things. Your safety is always more important than whatever item you’ve left inside your car. Moreover, never open a hood or trunk if you suspect that there is fire under it, as this would only feed the fire with oxygen and make it grow.

Car fires are dangerous. Be sure to equip your car with the right fire extinguisher and yourself with the right knowledge about auto fire safety to keep you and your car safe at all times.

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