What To Do In Case of Car Fire?

Cars can be vulnerable to fire that is why manufacturers provide a lot of safeguards in its construction to reduce the chances of a car fire and should one does happen, it is always important that the fire department is immediately notified to limit the danger that it presents.  Vulnerable in the sense that the three components for a fire to start are ever present in a car as there are several flammable solids and liquids within as well as sources of ignition and oxygen is everywhere.  So what can you do if your vehicle caught fire?

The engine compartment is the most common place where a fire starts and although there is a firewall that acts as a protective barrier between you and the engine compartment, it only gives you the needed time to stop your car and get out of it.  You need to warn oncoming vehicles as well as keep onlookers away.  A car fire extinguisher would be handy at this point as you can easily contain it especially if it has just started but you need to be extra careful when you put the fire out.  You must not lift the hood as the fire could escalate once you open it up because you would then be exposing the area to more oxygen.  It is best to discharge the extinguisher through the gap that has been provided when you have released the hood.

Just because you have put the fire out with the extinguisher, it does not mean that it is already safe and there is no need to call the fire department.  The best thing to do is to wait and have the professionals check it out and until they say that the fire is out and that there are no more possible causes for re-ignition and declares it safe, only then can you get near your car to check the damage that has been caused by the fire.  There is a great possibility that although you have put out the flames, there are still hot spots that can easily ignite once you open the hood.

In the event that you are unsure on how to use the extinguisher or the fire gets out of hand, it is always best that the fire department is on the scene as there is a possibility of explosion.  Remember that you have gasoline and a host of other flammable materials in your car so an explosion is a distinct possibility and such things does not happen only in the movies.  It is always best to let the fire crew who are experts on this field do their work.

Most vehicular fires are caused not by accidents but by poor maintenance and also because of a deliberate attempt to set it on fire.  Electrical problems, mechanical failure, leaks, and worn-out parts are the most common cause of car fires and such can be avoided with proper car maintenance.  It is also best that you keep the right type of car fire extinguisher in your vehicle as part of your car fire safety measure.

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