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Vehicle Fire Fighting
A vehicle fire can be caused by a fuel leak, an electrical short, careless handling of fire, camp stoves or smoking products around a vehicle, hot exhaust systems that ignite vegetation, or collision (less than 1/2 of 1 percent of collisions cause a fire). Once a fire starts it can destroy a vehicle very quickly if a fire extinguisher and the ability to use one is not available. Below is an outline on vehicle fire fighting.
Before You Have A Fire:
- Install a multipurpose fire extinguisher in your vehicle. Mount it in a place that is easily accessible and know how to use it.
- Carry a pair of leather gloves so that you can slowly open the engine compartment without burning your hands.
- Carry a shovel to put out campfires and small grass or brush fires.
Vehicle Fire Fighting:
- Fire fighting begins by using your senses. The senses of smell and sight tell you that something is burning. Smell can also tell you if gasoline is leaking. Sound can tell you that there is a problem. Touch will tell you where the heat is located. Pay attention to your senses and react quickly. Your best chances of putting out a fire is when it is small.
- Remember do not endanger yourself. Your safety is worth more than your vehicle.
- Once you have located the fire you should get your fire extinguisher, aim it at the base of the flames, and chase the flames sweeping the extinguisher from side to side. Do not completely empty the extinguisher (it will empty very quickly) if you do not have to. The fire may start a second time. Remember to stand up wind of the smoke and do not breathe the fumes. Modern vehicles contain many plastic parts that produce harmful fumes when they burn. The extinguishers gases can also be harmful.
- If the fire is in the engine compartment; put on your gloves and slowly open the hood, just enough, to discharge the extinguisher at the flames. If you open the hood all the way quickly or the doors of an interior fire, the sudden rush of air will feed the flames and they will flare up.
- A blanket or coat can be used to smother or beat out small fires. Shoveling dirt onto the flames can also accomplish the same thing. Take the same precautions as above.
- If the fire gets out of control, your only recourse is to get professional help. Beware, burning fuel tanks and tires can explode violently.
Once The Fire Is Out:
- Make sure it is dead out. Electrical fires will need the source of electricity cut off. This means disconnecting the negative battery cable. Cutting it is usually the fastest way. This will also shut off fuel pumps, mechanical and electric. A pump pushing fuel into a fire is a disaster.
- When handling burned automobile parts wear gloves, heavy rubber gloves are best. Many of the burned plastics and rubbers are very dangerous to your skin.
Small Grass and Brush Fires:
- Your multipurpose fire extinguisher will put these out, but shoveling dirt on the flames or beating the flames with a shovel or blanket will work as well.
If You Catch On Fire:
- Get away from the fire's source, then drop to the ground and roll to smother the flames.
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