While driving
can be an extremely fun activity, there are always dangers that drivers need to
be aware of. One of those dangers are car fires. The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) reports that there is a vehicle fire every 96
seconds in the United States.
The dangers of
car fires are further highlighted by articles like one on Detroitnews.com that
tells one man’s tale about how his truck went up in flames within three
minutes. “A fire in a modern vehicle burns fast and furiously,” the writer
states. “What's intact for the moment can be gone or enveloped in toxic smoke
in a matter of seconds.”
All drivers
need to be aware of this potential danger, especially since most fires start
due to electrical problems, which can’t be seen and can be undetected. Signs of
potential problems, according to Statefarm.com, are:
·
Fuses that blow
repeatedly
·
Spilled oil under the
hood left over from an oil change
·
Oil or other fluid
leaks under the vehicle
·
Cracked or loose
wiring, or wiring with exposed metal
·
Very loud sounds from
the exhaust system
·
Rapid changes in fuel
level, oil levels, or engine temperature
·
A missing cap from the
oil filler
·
Broken or loose hoses
Should the
warning signs lead to a real emergency before any problems can be fixed,
remember to stay calm and do the following:
· As highlighted in the Detroitnews.com
article, if anything seems “off” in your car, pull over and get out – you’ll be
able to see if anything is obviously wrong.
· If you smell gasoline, don’t just
assume it’s coming from another car – it could be a sign of trouble in yours.
Pull over.
· When you pull over, turn off your
car’s ignition immediately. Exit the vehicle and do not go back for personal
items.
· If you see flames once you exit the
vehicle, call 911 immediately and keep away from your car.
· Do not open the hood of your car and
attempt to fight any fire yourself; opening the hood adds extra oxygen to the
blaze and makes the situation worse.
As with all
accidents, you should also find ways to alert oncoming traffic to the danger
your car poses, and take pictures of the damage to show to insurance agents
later.
