How to Prevent a Fire in a Car
In December, a three-month-old Tesla spontaneously caught fire in a flat tire repair shop. Six hours after the fire was finally extinguished, the car caught fire again .
Car fires happen more often than you think, although it is very unusual for your car to catch fire twice in one day. Between 2014 and 2016, FEMA report with estimates numbered 171500 and many of them result of mechanical or electrical issue as overheated engine.
Consumer Reports this week covered the basics of car fire safety. If it is not already obvious, you should not be near a burning car, but it is also important to know how to prevent a fire before it occurs.
If you have a gasoline vehicle, pay attention to sudden changes in fuel or oil.
If you are driving a gasoline powered vehicle, it is important to watch for any sudden changes in fuel or oil levels or sudden changes in temperature that could indicate a leak (and increase the likelihood of fire). The National Fire Fighting Association also recommends transporting gas in the passenger compartment of any vehicle, if it is not a small amount and in certified, sealed gas can. You should also be careful with any odors that smell like burning plastic or rubber, as their source can trigger a fire.
If you have an electric vehicle, be sure to update your software regularly.
For those who drive electric cars, the easiest way to prevent any safety issues is to check for software updates and install them immediately, especially if you read the news about problems with your particular vehicle. ( Tesla recently released battery updates after a number of other recent fires.) Tesla also allowed customers to set up automatic software updates; just go to Settings, Software, Software Update, Advanced and turn on.
According to Consumer Reports , regular visits to a mechanic will also help curb any potential fire hazards.
What to do if a car catches fire
If your engine does start to smoke, or you smell burning rubber, you should immediately stop and turn off the engine to cut off the fuel supply. Do not stop to grab any personal belongings and be careful not to open the trunk or hood, which can only worsen the fire if exposed to more air. (NFPA recommends turning off any proximity key or moving it at least 16 feet away from the vehicle, which could start the vehicle.)
You should move at least 100 feet from the vehicle, warn anyone in the immediate vicinity, and stay away from moving vehicles. Ideally, if you are parked on the side of the road, you are far enough away that any possible collision with your vehicle will not damage you or anyone around you – again, stay away from active traffic.
If you still have a phone, you should call 911 or have another driver call. If you have a fire extinguisher, you should not put out the fire unless you have direct access to the fire and do not know how to handle the fire extinguisher. (According to Consumer Report , you should only use a class B or C fire extinguisher used on flammable liquids or live electrical equipment; a class A fire extinguisher designed for fires using wood, paper, or plastic may not be effective. )
Electric vehicles have batteries that stay hot even after extinguishing a fire. As we mentioned, they can also re-ignite, which means you don’t want to touch (or try to operate) the battery under any circumstances.
Whatever you do, it is important to remember to stay away from any flaming vehicle until emergency services arrive at the scene; stay at a safe distance and caution others to do the same.