Should a car be equipped with a fire extinguisher?
4 Answers
For safety reasons, it is recommended to have one. Here are the relevant details: 1. According to the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles," vehicles should be equipped with a compliant triangular warning sign; medium-sized (and above) passenger vehicles and hazardous goods transport vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher and firefighting equipment within their validity period, securely installed and easily accessible. Violators will be warned or fined 20-200 yuan. 2. Currently, China has mandatory regulations for public transport vehicles such as buses, taxis, and hazardous material vehicles—which are either passenger-intensive or prone to fire—requiring drivers and relevant personnel to carry a fire extinguisher. There is no such strict regulation for private cars, but during annual inspections, a fire extinguisher must be present in the vehicle; otherwise, the inspection will not pass. For safety reasons, it is still advisable to have one.
After driving for so many years, I truly believe keeping a fire extinguisher in the car is essential. Last summer during extreme heat, my neighbor's car nearly caught fire due to aging wiring—fortunately, he had a small extinguisher in the trunk to control it in time. While car fires aren't common, risks like engine overheating, oil leaks, or post-accident hazards are always present. A simple, portable car fire extinguisher, preferably one suitable for gasoline and electrical fires, costs just a few dozen bucks and should be placed within easy reach, like near the driver's seat. Regularly check its expiration date and pressure gauge every year or two. Don't underestimate it—this small device can prevent major losses or even save lives, especially during long trips or when driving older vehicles. Putting extra thought into safety is absolutely worth making this a habit.
With decades of driving experience, I've witnessed countless road accidents and always advise friends to keep a fire extinguisher handy. Once, during a highway traffic jam, the engine of the car in front started smoking, and the panicked owner was running around in circles. If they hadn't pulled out a fire extinguisher from their bag to put out the small fire, it could have been disastrous. Car fire extinguishers are affordable, compact, and can easily fit under the passenger seat—opt for an ABC-class one to handle common fire sources. Avoid storing it in the high-temperature depths of the trunk to prevent it from becoming ineffective. Using it is straightforward: just pull the safety pin and press the handle to spray. Although it's not mandatory for private vehicles to carry one, why not have peace of mind? Spending a little money for prevention is far better than regretting it later.
From a cost-benefit perspective, I recommend keeping a fire extinguisher. A car-mounted one costs just a few dozen yuan, is compact in size, and won't take up space when placed in the door pocket. Do the math—if a fire occurs, the potential repair costs or greater losses make this investment extremely worthwhile. Choose a reputable brand to ensure quality with a validity period of about five years, and regular checks aren't troublesome. Prevention is better than cure; spending a small amount for great peace of mind is undeniably economical and practical.
