Spring is the perfect time to give your car some extra TLC. Roll up your sleeves and tackle your car maintenance checklist and ensure you are ready for the road. When prepping your vehicle, don't forget fire safety!

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 200,000 vehicle fires are reported each year in the United States. These fires can start for a variety of reasons, including engine failure, electrical issues, or an accident. Having a fire extinguisher in your vehicle can be a lifesaver. It's an easy addition when it's a small extinguisher like Element.

Why You Need A Fire Extinguisher In Your Vehicle

Vehicle fires can happen unexpectedly. Fuel leaks, electrical fires, or overheating engines are just some of the causes of car fires. Having a fire extinguisher on hand gives you the ability to prevent the fire from escalating. Protect your vehicle with the right extinguisher and increase your peace of mind.

While no one wants to experience a vehicle fire, being prepared can make all the difference. Here are some common ways car fires can start:

• Overheating Engines: If the engine gets too hot, whether from a coolant failure or mechanical issue, it can cause flammable materials nearby to catch fire.
• Fuel Leaks: A leak in the fuel line, fuel tank, or injector system can lead to gasoline or diesel fumes coming into contact with a spark or heat source.
• Electrical Failures: Faulty wiring, short circuits, or malfunctioning electrical components can spark a fire in the vehicle’s electrical system.
• Frayed or Exposed Wiring: Damaged insulation on wiring can expose wires, increasing the risk of short circuits and fires.
• Vehicle Collisions: A crash or impact that damages the vehicle’s fuel system, battery, or exhaust system can lead to a fire.

Choosing The Right Fire Extinguisher For Your Vehicle

When it comes to fire protection in your vehicle, not just any fire extinguisher will do. You need one that’s suitable for vehicle fires and capable of extinguishing the types of fires you might encounter without causing a mess or additional damage. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best car fire extinguisher:

• Clean Agent Extinguisher:  Clean agent extinguishers use extinguishants that evaporate into the environment without causing a corrosive mess or additional damage.
• Size and Weight: Consider getting a small fire extinguisher that can fit in your glovebox, can be mounted to a roll bar, or stored in the side door pocket.
• Easily Accessible: Going hand-in-hand with size, ensure that your automotive fire extinguisher is in a location that's easily accessible when you're on the road but won't roll under your brake pedal. You never know when a fire may start, so have it reachable and readily available.
• Easy to Use: In an emergency, the last thing you'll want to do is struggle to activate your fire extinguisher! Ensure your extinguisher is easy to operate, and make sure everyone in your vehicle knows how it works.
• Fire Class Coverage: When choosing the best fire extinguisher, make sure it’s rated for fire classes A, B, C, & K. These are the major fire classes and these extinguishers are suitable for different types of fires that could arise in a car, RV, or general automotive setting.

Properly Storing Your Car Fire Extinguisher For Easy Access

Just having a fire extinguisher in your vehicle isn’t enough. It needs to be stored properly for quick access in an emergency. An extinguisher that's buried under gear or in an inaccessible spot won’t be helpful when a fire strikes.

Here are some key tips for mounting your fire extinguisher in a way that maximizes safety and accessibility:

• Within Reach: Position your automotive fire extinguisher within easy reach of the driver. Many choose to mount it under the seat, back seat pocket, on the side door or on a roll bar. This makes it close enough to access quickly, but doesn't obstruct any controls or airbag zones.
• Highly Visible: While fire extinguishers should be secure, they also need to be visible. This ensures everyone in the vehicle knows where it is and can grab it quickly if necessary. Visibility is key to ensuring the extinguisher isn’t buried under cargo or out of sight.
• Won't Accidentally Discharge: Vehicles experience a lot of vibration and pressurized extinguishers can accidentally discharge. Element is not pressurized so it is not affected by vibrations.

Element: The Best Car Fire Extinguisher

Element fire extinguishers are ideal for vehicles, offering fast to activate and efficient fire suppression when you need it most. Element E50 is only 10.75" long and fits in most glove boxes. Element discharges for 5x longer than a traditional 5 lb extinguisher bottle at only a fraction of the size! Element is rated for all major fire classes, giving you the coverage and peace of mind you need in your vehicle. Don’t wait until it’s too late, equip your vehicle with Element today!