The holiday’ are just around the corner and families across the country will be hitting the road to visit friends and family. It is important keep your car in good working order to prevent fires and other auto related issues while traveling. When a vehicle catches fire this can be a terrifying event especially if you are still in the car. It’s also one of the most scariest things that can happen on the road. Sadly this happens more often than we would think.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 33 car fires are reported every hour in the U.S., and 18 percent of all reported fires occur on a road or highway and involve a motor vehicle. One person per day died in a car fire incident between 2003 and 2005, and in 2007 there were 258,000 vehicle fires causing 385 deaths, 1,675 injuries and 1.41 billion dollars’ worth of damages.
Keep in mind that in the automotive world, smoke does not necessarily always mean there is a fire present. It really can depend on a lot of things such as age of the vehicle, radiator problems, overheating, and more. The simple fact is something’s gone wrong if your vehicle is smoking or putting off odors.
Tips on preventing a car fire:
- Be sure to get your car serviced on a regular basis.
- Keeping your car maintained is key to preventing a fire.
- Never leave a lit cigar or cigarette in the vehicle ashtray.
- Always check for recalls on your vehicle and get them fixed.
- Don’t leave electronics in the car for long periods of time.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and smoke detector in your vehicle.
Click here for more car fire prevention tips.
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