Should You Keep a Fire Extinguisher in Your Car?
2 Answers
It is absolutely necessary to keep a fire extinguisher in your car. When driving in hot weather, experiencing vehicle malfunctions, or encountering short circuits, the risk of a car catching fire increases significantly. Having a fire extinguisher on hand allows you to quickly suppress the flames, ensuring personal safety. According to regulations: medium and large passenger vehicles, as well as hazardous goods transport vehicles, must be equipped with valid fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment. Failure to comply may result in warnings or fines. While there is no strict requirement for private cars, a fire extinguisher must be present during annual vehicle inspections; otherwise, the inspection will not pass. For safety reasons, it is highly recommended that every driver carry a fire extinguisher in their vehicle. Car fire extinguishers: The most commonly used types for vehicles are dry powder and water-based extinguishers. Dry powder extinguishers are effective at quickly suppressing fires, affordable, and versatile. Water-based extinguishers come in two main types: foam and water mist, which are dust-free, non-suffocating, highly effective, and environmentally friendly. They are easy to use, making them a recommended choice for every car owner to keep in their vehicle.
I think keeping a fire extinguisher in the car is quite necessary, especially if you drive frequently or go on long trips. From my experience, although fires are rare, once there's an issue with the engine or wiring, smoke and flames can appear in just a few seconds. A small car fire extinguisher, like the dry powder type, is easy to operate and can quickly put out initial flames, preventing the car from being completely destroyed. I keep a 1kg one in my car, fixed under the passenger seat so it's within easy reach while driving. Don’t forget to regularly check the pressure gauge to ensure it hasn’t expired. When it comes to safety, spending a little money for peace of mind is better than regretting it after an incident. I recommend everyone consider carrying one.
