Did you know that one out of every eight fires the fire department in the U.S. responds to are vehicular fires? It’s no secret that car safety is important, but how can you protect yourself from car fires?
They’re unpredictable and pretty rare, so there isn’t one surefire way to prevent them, but you can keep yourself safe in the event one happens to you. All you need is a car fire extinguisher!
Read on to learn more about what a car fire extinguisher can do for you.
What Causes Car Fires?
Before you learn about fire extinguishers, it’s important to know what causes car fires in the first place.
The biggest cause of car fires is some kind of motor accident, usually unintentional. Some causes remain unknown, and some are caused by a failure of car equipment or some particular heat source.
Fires aren’t always going to be inside your car either, though. Keeping an extinguisher on hand for outdoor events is always a good idea. You may also be able to help another vehicle out if their fire is small enough.
Once you acquire your fire extinguisher, you’re going to want to install some kind of clip or mounting system. This not only keeps it from rolling around in your car, but it also ensures that you know where it’s at all times.
Types of Car Fire Extinguishers
Car fires might be rare, but they do happen. Having an extinguisher on hand is one of the biggest safety precautions you can take. Which one should you have on hand in the event of one?
Class A
Class A extinguishers contain mono-ammonium phosphate. They’re designed to put out fires on fabric and other organic materials.
Class B
Class B fire extinguishers can contain either mono-ammonium phosphate or sodium bicarbonate. They’re made for putting out liquid fires, like oil, grease, gasoline, or paint.
Class C
Class C extinguishers contain an agent that helps isolate the fire element. These extinguishers are designed for electrical fires.
Which Is Best For Car Safety?
Between these three, you’re likely to experience any of them — which is where a car fire extinguisher comes in. Specifically, you’ll want to find an extinguisher that contains a dry powder.
These extinguishers can put out a multitude of fires, including electrical and fire. They’ll help ensure that, no matter the situation you’re caught in, you’ll be able to keep yourself and those around you safe.
Why Are They Necessary?
Fire extinguishers are necessary for car safety for a number of reasons, even if you’re sure you’ll never use the one you have. While we hope you never have to use it, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Knowing how to use it may mean the difference between injury and safety, and that’s always something to be on the lookout for.
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