Where should the fire extinguisher be placed in the car?

[Elliana]

The fire extinguisher in the car should be placed in: 1. The glove compartment inside the car; 2. Next to the seat; 3. The trunk. The storage environment temperature of the fire extinguisher should be within the range of -10 to 45 degrees Celsius, and the place where the fire extinguisher is placed should be kept dry and ventilated to prevent the fire extinguisher from getting damp and corroding. Fire extinguishers can be divided into foam fire extinguishers, dry powder fire extinguishers, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, water fire extinguishers, and halon fire extinguishers according to the type of extinguishing agent they are filled with. According to their mobility, they can be divided into portable fire extinguishers and trolley fire extinguishers. How to use a fire extinguisher: 1. Pull out the safety pin; 2. Hold the nozzle tightly with one hand; 3. Press the handle firmly with the other hand; 4. Aim the nozzle at the base of the flame and sweep.

[DiSawyer]

I keep a fire extinguisher under the driver's seat all year round, so I can easily reach it when needed. In case of smoke or fire in the car, the first 30 seconds are the golden time. Places like the trunk are too inconvenient—last year, a friend's car caught fire on the highway, and the extinguisher was buried under luggage and couldn't be retrieved in time. The flat-canister extinguisher I bought now fits perfectly on the seat rails, allowing me to pull it out quickly in an emergency by just bending down. Also, a quick reminder: don’t take the easy way out by stashing it in the door panel, as sharp turns could cause hidden damage to the canister. And don’t forget to regularly check the pressure gauge on the extinguisher—replace it immediately if it’s expired.

[ChloeRose]

It is recommended to secure it in the side mesh pocket of the trunk. During a recent road trip with my child, I realized that placing it within the child's reach in the front seat was too dangerous. The side position in the trunk is high enough, and in case of an emergency stop, you can quickly access it by lifting the trunk from outside. It's advisable to use Velcro straps for a secure fit, as they are more stable than clip-on brackets. Once, during a sudden brake on a mountain road, the fire extinguisher flew out and damaged the car's infotainment screen. Be sure to avoid placing it in the spare tire well, as moisture tends to accumulate there, which can cause the bottom of the canister to rust through. Remember to turn the canister upside down every six months and shake it to prevent the powder from clumping and becoming ineffective.

[BenjaminRose]

Practical advice from a traffic police friend: The driver's side door storage compartment is the most reliable. In an accident, you might be pinned in your seat, and the door panel storage is the only spot you can reach without moving. The 500g water-based fire extinguisher I bought fits perfectly in the door recess—just secure it with a non-slip 3M pad. Avoid placing it under the dashboard, as airbag deployment can turn the canister into a projectile. Also, keep fire extinguishers away from airbag coverage zones. During a recent inspection, I saw someone storing one under the passenger seat, and in a collision, the canister crushed the passenger's ankle.