Tips to Help You Avoid A Vehicle Fire
Car fires for 17 percent of all fires and 13 percent of all civilian fire deaths, according to the National Association of Fire Protection. More than two-thirds of the vehicle fires result from mechanical or electrical failures or malfunctions, compared with only 3 percent of collisions or rollovers.
More than a quarter of one million vehicles per year fires occur.
“In 2004, the vehicle fires caused more deaths than apartment fires,” said NFPA President James M. Shannon. “The public should be aware of this serious fire safety issue and take action to reduce the risk of disturbance.”
AAA urges drivers to ensure maintenance of the vehicle, if they have not had in the past year, and especially alert to damaged wiring and loose electrical connections, worn or blistered fluid lines, leaking lines, brake components, very worn and damaged heat shields.
“Although drivers may believe fires, most collisions occur, it is not true. Many others are by automotive components, which could not have been maintained or repaired prior to causing or accelerating a fire,” said AAA President Robert L. Darbelnet .
To reduce the risk of a vehicle fire, AAA recommends the following:
* Have your vehicle at least annually by a professional to be carried out. As a public service, AAA examines and approves thousands of repair facilities in the United States and Canada under the AAA Auto Repair adoption program. Names and addresses of AAA approved repair companies can be found at www.aaa.com.
* Check for wear. Look for fluid leaks under vehicles, cracked or blowing hoses or pipes, the loose, the metal or cracked insulation. Have any of these conditions inspected and repaired as soon as possible.
* Be alert for changes in the way your vehicle sounds when you or a visible plume of exhaust gas from the tube. A powerful exhaust tone than usual, the smoke from the exhaust or rear exhaust could mean problems or damage to high temperature and exhaust emissions at the vehicle. The vehicles were checked and repaired as soon as possible if the control of exhaust emissions or are suspected problems.
If your vehicle catches fire, firefighters recommend that you stop, pull to the side of the road and turn off the ignition. Do not open the hood because more oxygen can do bigger and sets fire to a sudden asthma attack.
Make sure that all of the vehicle by at least 100 meters away, and call for help. Never return the vehicle to fight the fire themselves.
