Make Sure Leaves Are The Only Thing Bright Red On Your Fall Road Trip
You’ll spend hours getting ready for a road trip and somehow forget the thing you hope you’ll never have to use. A fire extinguisher!
Tire pressure? Checked. Bags packed? Eventually. You’ve probably thought about everything your car needs to get you there... or have you?
Your Fall Road Trip Checklist Has a Blind Spot
When was the last time you thought about your fire extinguisher? Having a fire extinguisher is one thing, being able to use it when you need it is another.
A car fire extinguisher needs to do more than exist somewhere in your vehicle. It needs to be accessible when the car is packed, securely stored and ready to use when you need it.
An automotive fire can start in different areas of the car, from the engine compartment to electrical components, which is why the extinguisher you carry needs to be appropriate for the types of fires you could encounter on the road.
Before you hit the road, give yours a quick check:
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Accessible: Can you get to it quickly, even with a fully packed car?
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Secure: Is your extinguisher mounted safely?
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Easy to use: Do you know how to activate it and how long it will discharge?
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Appropriate: Do you know what types of fires it’s designed for?
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Always Ready: Does it require any inspection, servicing or maintenance before the trip?
Why the checklist? Because the middle of an emergency is a pretty terrible time to decide to Google any of those answers.
So, Where Are You Going This Fall?
The Scenic Road Trip
This is the trip where taking the long way is the whole point. But once passengers, cameras, jackets and weekend bags are loaded in, space disappears quickly.
At 80% smaller and 1/10 the weight of a traditional extinguisher, Element gives you fire protection without another bulky cylinder competing for space.
The Off-Road Weekend
Getting away from the pavement usually means bringing half the garage with you. Recovery gear, tools and everything you need when there isn't a service station around the corner. Element's compact, lightweight design keeps fire protection accessible without adding another bulky cylinder to an already well-equipped 4x4, Jeep or UTV.
The Cottage or Camping Trip
You finally got everything to fit. When every bit of cargo space counts, your extinguisher shouldn't end up buried underneath everything else. Element's compact size gives you more flexibility to keep it somewhere accessible like a seat pocket.
The Track Weekend
You don't spend countless hours building a car just to be careless with your fire extinguisher. With 50 seconds of discharge and no mess or residue, the E50 keeps fire protection within easy reach without leaving corrosive powder all over the vehicle you've put that much work into.
The Everyday Fall Road Trip
Maybe you're visiting family for Thanksgiving or getting out of town for the weekend. Element requires no servicing or maintenance, making it easy to keep ready in the vehicle you drive every day.
Your Car Is Ready. Make Sure You Are Too.
Being ready for a road trip isn’t just about preparing for what you know is coming. It’s being prepared for what you can’t predict, too.
Grab your camera. Check the car. Pack the bags. And make fire protection part of getting ready to go.
Equip your vehicle with Element before your next fall road trip.
Article Summary:
A car fire extinguisher is road-trip ready when it is accessible, securely stored, appropriate for the types of fires you could encounter, easy to operate and ready to use when needed. Before a fall road trip, check five things:
- Accessibility: Keep the extinguisher somewhere you can reach quickly, even when the vehicle is packed with passengers, luggage or gear.
- Secure Storage: Make sure it is properly mounted or secured so it cannot move around inside the vehicle.
- Ease Of Use: Know how to activate the extinguisher before an emergency happens.
- Fire Coverage: Confirm that the extinguisher is suitable for the types of fires you may encounter in and around your vehicle.
- Readiness: Check whether your extinguisher requires regular inspection, servicing or maintenance to remain ready for use.
Element Fire Extinguishers are designed to make vehicle fire protection easier to carry and access. Element is 80% smaller and 1/10 the weight of a traditional extinguisher, requires no servicing or maintenance, and leaves no residue after discharge. The E50 provides 50 seconds of discharge, compared with roughly 9–11 seconds from a conventional extinguisher, making it a compact option for road trips ranging from everyday weekend drives to off-road and track adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What type of fire extinguisher should you keep in a car?
A vehicle fire extinguisher should be suitable for the different types of fires you could encounter. ABC extinguishers are designed to address Class A fires involving ordinary combustible materials, Class B fires involving flammable liquids, and Class C fires involving energized electrical equipment. Fire classifications are only one factor to consider when choosing an extinguisher for your vehicle.
Where should you keep a fire extinguisher in a car?
Keep it securely mounted and easily accessible, not buried underneath luggage or loose in the trunk. There are different mounting brackets for different vehicles and setups, but wherever you install it, the important part is being able to reach it quickly when you need it.
Can you leave a fire extinguisher in a car in cold weather?
Element can be stored in temperatures ranging from -58F to +176F, while some standard extinguishers need to be stored between -40F - +120F. Element fire extinguishers are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, making them suitable for year-round vehicle storage.
Does a car fire extinguisher require maintenance?
That depends on the type of extinguisher. Traditional pressurized extinguishers can require regular inspections and servicing. Element fire extinguishers have no compressed gas, moving parts or servicing requirements, so they do not require the same ongoing maintenance.