Many people pack first aid kits, jump starters, and a tool box in their car in case of emergencies. However, few think to include a fire extinguisher, which can be the difference between a minor car mishap and serious injuries coupled with thousands of dollars to repair.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, around 560 people died in 212,500 vehicle fires caused 560 deaths in 2018. Approximately 1,500 were injured and $1.9 billion in property damage was recorded.
Keeping a fire extinguisher in your car can help you avoid becoming part of a similar statistic. It also has a ton of benefits, regardless of how uncommon car fires are.
Why You Need a Fire Extinguisher in Your Car
Safety, convenience, and peace of mind are the top benefits of keeping a fire extinguisher in your car.
Safety
Car fires aren’t that common, with only one in every eight reported fires coming from vehicles. However, that doesn’t mean you can disregard their possible risks.
Fire releases toxic gases and thick smoke, and breathing even small amounts of these toxins can be disorienting. Inhale too much, and you might have trouble breathing, experience respiratory issues, and even pass out.
Having a fire extinguisher in your car lets you deal with fire immediately, either snuffing it out or keeping it under control until help arrives.
Convenience
A car fire can spread quickly because vehicles have a lot of flammable liquids and components that run hot. A spark is all it takes to ignite a fuel leak, and an overheating component can start a fire in certain circumstances.
Keeping a fire extinguisher will help you keep the damage to a minimum. It can help you put out the fire before it can spread, limiting the parts you need to repair or replace and saving you time and money.
Peace of Mind
Having a fire extinguisher with you when you’re on the road makes it so your mind is at peace, as you know you’re prepared in case of a fire. You can also use it on house fires in case of emergencies.
Why Not Use Water to Extinguish Car Fires?
If the fire is spreading due to a flammable liquid, pouring water could spread the fluid to other areas.
Moreover, water isn’t effective against gasoline- or diesel-based fire because these fluids are lighter than water. That means they’ll only float on top of the water and continue burning.
Top Causes of Car Fires
Some of the top causes of car fires include fuel system leaks, electrical system issues, and leaking fluids, among others.
Fuel System Leaks
Unsurprisingly, fuel system leaks are the most common cause of car fires.
Fuel can cause a fire when it comes into contact with hot metal or plastic parts. It’s why the fuel lines are highly susceptible to catching fire, as it’s where the fuel travels from the tank to the engine.
Some issues that could cause the leaks include rust and corrosion in exhaust system parts. It’s part of the reason why it’s crucial to have your vehicle checked and maintained every so often.
Electrical System Issues
Electrical issues are the second-most common cause of car fires. The most common culprit is the battery because it can cause explosive hydrogen gas to build up, while the electrical current can produce sparks that ignite fluid or leak vapors.
It’s not just the battery you have to worry about because electrical wiring runs through the entire car. The doors, under the carpet, and through heated seats.
Leaking Fluids
As mentioned, leaked fluids, especially fuel, can cause a fire, especially if it leaks onto the exhaust manifolds or pipes. However, there are other liquids that can ignite a fire. Some of them include engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and engine coolant.
Overheating Engine
An overheating engine can easily catch fire. There are a handful of reasons an engine will overheat, like insufficient coolant and radiator leaks.
Once the engine overheats, some fluids like oil and coolant rise to high temperatures and spill throughout the engine bay and onto the exhaust system. When this happens, the heat is enough to generate a fire and spread.
Overheating Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter reduces pollution-causing emissions by accelerating the combustion of pollutants coming out of the engine. This causes the converter to become hot, which can reach over 1,000°F.
Catalytic converters have a heat shield to prevent damage, but the shield can get dislodged, especially if the bolts are rusted. Without the shield, the hot catalytic converter can ignite debris under the car, causing a fire.
Electric Vehicle Battery Problems
Electric vehicle fires aren’t as common as gas-powered car fires. However, EV fire is more dangerous and destructive.
The lithium-ion batteries EVs use make fires that are harder to extinguish compared to regular fires because they have lithium salts, which are self-oxidizing.
The bigger the battery, the higher the odds of car fires. And we’re seeing bigger EVs on the road, which means they’re using bigger lithium-ion batteries, too.
Car Crashes
A severe car crash can start a fire, especially if the area near the engine, battery, or gas tank is hit. Any major impact on these parts can cause fluid leaks, heat, and smoke. The fire doesn’t always start immediately, so it’s best to stay away from a crashed vehicle if you see one.
Cigarettes
Car fires have started from drivers throwing out still-hot cigarettes/cigars through a window before flying back into the backseat through an open window. Regardless of how small the embers are, they can still cause a fire if it hits anything flammable, like paper or cloth.
It’s one of the many reasons why it’s not advised to smoke inside the car. You’re risking a car fire in addition to potentially marking the car ceiling with nicotine stains.
What Type of Fire Extinguisher Should You Get?
The choice of fire extinguisher is up to you, but the most recommended type is an ABC dry powder extinguisher. Powder extinguishers can extinguish class B fires or fires caused by a flammable liquid, such as diesel or petrol.
And since cars have limited space, a 2 lbs/4 lbs unit is ideal because it wouldn’t take up much area compared to usual extinguishers that weigh between 5 lbs and 7 lbs.
You can store it below the seats or mount it behind the passenger seat using a bracket. This way, the extinguisher is accessible from inside the car. You can also store it in the trunk, but you’ll have to get out of the car to retrieve it if you need to use it, which is valuable time lost.
One advantage to storing it in the trunk is you’re not exposing the unit to sunlight, which could harm the extinguisher.
Do note that fire extinguishers are only good for a certain amount of time, so you’ll have to get them checked, filled, and recertified
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
You can use most fire extinguishers using the PASS method:
- P: Pull the pin to discharge the extinguisher.
- A: Aim at the base of the fire and not the flame itself because the extinguishing agent will fly through the flames.
- S: Squeeze the top handle to depress a button and release the extinguishing agent.
- S: Sweep from side to side until the fire is out. Start from a safe distance and move forward until the fire is out.
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