If your car catches fire, the first thing you have to do is stop as soon as possible, park the car and close the ignition. Next, you have to evict all the people who go inside and, in the event that you do not have a fire extinguisher, try to get as little oxygen as possible, closing doors, windows and the hood, so that the oxygen does not give more force the flames.
Steps to follow:
When explaining what you should do if the car catches fire, it is important to emphasize that it is essential that you carry a fire extinguisher inside the vehicle so that a small fire in the engine or in the passenger compartment is left in a scare or in a small failure and there is no need to regret greater evils, especially personal injuries.
Inside the engine, in addition to fuel, there are many liquids, such as oil, which can burn under certain circumstances. Although it is not common, a breakdown can cause an engine fire. Before the flames begin, you will see smoke coming out and that is when you must act, parking your vehicle and applying the fire extinguisher, which you must carry under the passenger seat.
Although you should take the utmost precautions, you should know that it is not easy for the car to explode due to fire, so do not worry about this. In the event that you do not have a fire extinguisher or other means to put out the fire, it is better not to open the hood, as this will make it more difficult for the flames to spread.
Although it seems otherwise, the fire is much more dangerous if it occurs inside the vehicle, that is, in the compartment reserved for the driver and passengers. This is because the seats usually contain synthetic materials that produce highly toxic smoke if they catch fire.
The interior of the car burns very fast, so if you see that you will not be able to put out the flames, move away so as not to be intoxicated by the smoke. Thus, after turning off the ignition of the car and helping all the occupants to get out, close the doors and windows so that oxygen does not enter, since it feeds the fire. Next, notify the emergency services so that they come to put out the fire in your car.
When everything has happened, you will have to see if the insurance you have contracted covers the damage caused to your car due to the fire. Even if you have this coverage, you will not be compensated if it is shown that the fire was due to negligence on your part, such as leaving a burning butt.
Yes, even if you have not contracted the fire, the damages that your car may have caused to third parties due to the fire will always be covered. Take good care of the maintenance of your car to prevent an engine failure from having consequences as unfortunate as a fire.
In short, what you have to do if your car catches fire and you don’t have a fire extinguisher is to park the vehicle, turn off the ignition, evacuate all the occupants, close the doors and windows and keep the hood closed, so that less people arrive. oxygen to fuel the flames. Next, call 112, the emergency service that will be in charge of coordinating the arrival of firefighters and other necessary assistance.
In the event that you have a fire extinguisher, you must park the car, close the contact and ensure that all the occupants have left the vehicle, too. Then, if the fire is in the engine compartment, apply the extinguisher until it is completely empty. It will take about 20 seconds to empty, so aim well for the flames. Then close the hood and call 112.
If the fire is inside the occupants’ compartment and you have an extinguisher, try to put it out only if the fire is very small. If it is already widespread, you will not be able to kill it, so close doors and windows and get away from the place as soon as possible, since the smoke will be very toxic. Next, alert 112.
