Where to Place a Fire Extinguisher in a Car?
3 Answers
Car fire extinguishers are mainly placed in the following locations inside the vehicle: 1. Inside the glove compartment. 2. Under the driver's seat. 3. Under the front passenger seat. 4. In the trunk. The usage methods and precautions for fire extinguishers are as follows: 1. Carry the fire extinguisher to a spot near the fire, standing upwind of the fire. 2. Pull out the safety pin. 3. Hold the nozzle with one hand and the handle with the other. 4. Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames and sweep. Precautions: The storage environment temperature for car fire extinguishers should be within the range of -10°C to 45°C, and the placement location should be kept dry and ventilated to prevent the extinguisher from getting damp and corroding.
I've been driving for over a decade and always keep my fire extinguisher secured in the most accessible spot under the driver's seat. In an emergency, I can just reach down and grab it—if it's tossed deep in the trunk, it's useless when the engine compartment catches fire because there's no time to run back and fetch it. Remember to fasten it tightly with Velcro or straps, otherwise it might roll around and hit the accelerator pedal or even interfere with braking when driving over bumps. In summer, try to park away from direct sunlight, like the dashboard area behind the windshield, as high temperatures can cause the fire extinguisher's pressure to spike dangerously. Last time, a friend's car caught fire, and it was the extinguisher placed under the front passenger seat that saved the day—still gives me chills thinking about it. If you must store one in the trunk, the safest option is to use a metal bracket to lock it into the side recess.
I always keep two fire extinguishers in my car: a small one tucked under the driver's seat and a large one secured on the side bracket in the trunk. Two years ago, I experienced a rear-end collision at an intersection. The moment smoke started coming out from under the hood, I immediately reached under the seat, grabbed the extinguisher, and sprayed—faster than calling 110. The key is to secure them firmly! Once, I forgot to fasten the strap, and during a turn, the extinguisher slammed against the passenger door panel, nearly causing a secondary accident. Now, I use retractable straps and silicone bases for dual fixation—they don’t budge even on the Sichuan-Tibet route. Also, never bury the trunk extinguisher under luggage. Learn from taxi drivers: stick it directly on the inner side of the trunk lid panel so it’s instantly accessible when you lift the lid.
