Essential Tips to Keep Your Car Away from Fire

Posted on: Apr 20, 2023 | | Written by:

Essential Tips to Keep Your Car Away from Fire

Published on April 20, 2023. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

What makes a car? Well, it is a complex machine that is a blend of mechanical, electrical, and electronic parts. There is a lot of complex wiring inside the car, along with a few components that can cause a lot of friction. And not to forget, it has some flammable liquid as well. Though car manufacturers take a lot of care to ensure fire-related incidents aren’t that common, they remain a scare. While there are different causes for car fires, you, as a car owner, can take some precautions. Some of the leading causes for car fires include electrical failure of the car, fuel leakage, fire due to an accident, bursting of tyres, etc. Irrespective of the reason, fire in a car can be quite dangerous. In the unfortunate event of a fire while you are driving your car, it is crucial that you bring it to a halt at the earliest before taking the next steps.

As a car owner, there are a few steps that you can carry out to ensure that your car is safe from fire-related instances. Here are some of them.

1. Regular car service:

One cannot emphasise enough about getting your car serviced regularly. Periodic car service is one of the easiest ways of identifying issues with the car. The technicians inspect the car for a number of faults and issues. Even the ones that you might not be aware of or complained about. The electrical system of the car is one of the leading causes of fire. By sticking to the regular maintenance schedule, you will minimise the chances of fire.

2. Essentials before starting your car:

Of the several car fire safety tips, checking the essentials of the car is an important one. Before you start your car, take a quick look to see if any liquid is dripping, if there are any loose lids for oil storage, if there is a spark from the battery, etc. These simple steps can help you go a long way in ensuring that you detect any issues early and prevent your car from catching fire.

3. Avoid too many accessories in your car:

A fair bit of fire-related accidents occur due to short-circuiting. If, during the installation, proper care and measures are not taken, connections can melt due to a lot of heat. This can result in wires melting, eventually leading to a fire. A lot of light accessories find their way into the car, whether it’s LED mood lighting or door sill lights, or high-power headlamps.

If these aren’t installed carefully, or necessary heat sinks are not used, it can cause overheating. Thus, you must be careful not to put a lot of electrical and electronic accessories in the car.

4. No smoking in the car:

If you smoke a lot, it can be quite difficult to resist the urge to light a cigarette in the car. At such times, you must remember that your car comprises several flammable fluids, and a speck of fire or spark can prove to be fatal. It is thus essential that you do not smoke in the car. It will also keep your car smelling better and fresh.

5. Install authorised CNG kits only:

Fuel prices in the country are at record highs, and there isn’t any immediate relief in sight. In such times, car owners tend to turn to CNG kits to reduce their fuel bills. If yours does not come with a default CNG kit, you can install one from the aftermarket. Yet, it is essential that you choose a CNG kit that is OEM authorised. Since CNG is highly flammable, installing it accurately is vital.

The kit should also be capable enough to avoid any spills or leaks. By choosing an OEM-authorised CNG kit, you can reduce the chance to a large extent. If you are planning to install a CNG kit, you must notify your insurance provider as well since the installation of the kit can elevate the risk of the car. Whether you buy car insurance online or offline, you must inform your insurer about the installation of the kit.

6. Only use authentic chargers:

Some of the fires in cars are caused by phone chargers. A lot of these vendors cut corners to save on cost, and the products do not meet the necessary safety standards as well. Should the need to install a phone charger in the car arise, ensure that you only use authentic ones.

You can easily find a lot of authentic chargers online from reputed brands. Avoid buying cheap chargers from local vendors. When such chargers are left plugged into the source, they can cause short circuits, which can lead to a fire in the car.

7. Avoid opening the bonnet:

If you feel there is a fire under the bonnet of the car, do not open it completely. You can release the safety hatch but avoid opening the bonnet. On opening the bonnet, more air will flow into the engine bay, thereby aggravating the fire.

8. Fire extinguisher in the car:

While some of the cars come with a fire extinguisher in the car, a lot of the cars do not, it might be a good idea to install a handy fire extinguisher in the car. It is one of the more prudent car fire safety tips. Preferable at a place which is easy to reach during an emergency. If a small fire breaks out in the car, you can easily put it out with the help of the extinguisher.

Apart from the above measures, you must also ensure that you opt for an adequate car insurance policy. A good policy will protect your car even against damages caused by fire. You can opt for third party car insurance, since it is mandatory and affordable, but it does not offer a lot of coverage. A third party car insurance can protect you against legal and financial liabilities related to other vehicles and people. However, it will not protect you against fire-related accidents.

Comprehensive plans offer you better coverage, albeit a small increase in the premium. You can compare car insurance plans before deciding on the insurance provider. As you compare car insurance, you can look at the different coverages and the premiums associated with them. It also lets you choose add-ons and visualise their impact on the policy premium.

Apart from the above, a comprehensive plan will also protect your car against natural calamities such as cyclones, typhoons, landslides, etc. It also covers damages due to theft, vandalism, riots, etc. And if you do not file for any claims, you can avail of NCB or no-claim bonus discounts. The discount will help you reduce the policy premium.

Conclusion

By following the above-mentioned steps, you can greatly reduce the chances of a car fire. Buying car insurance online, along with following these methods, is one of the smartest ways to keep your car safe.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Do Insurance Companies Cover Fire Damages in Electric Vehicles?

Car Insurance Background Check: Why and How is it Done?

Auto Heating and Cooling System Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore

Best Tips and Tactics to Keep Your Car Cool in Summers

Top Tips to Resolve Some of the Common Car Gearbox Problems