What To Do If Your Car Bursts Into Flames?
A new and inexperienced driver begins facing such problems as summons, parking fees and traffic violations. Besides this, an inexperienced driver will begin to face numerous risks and emergencies. Amongst some most common challenges are:
i) The inability of his car not being able to start at times.
ii) His vehicle crashing into a swollen river.
iii) The possibility of his car catching fire or bursting into flames.
To avoid the third possibility mentioned above taking place, a driver should purchase 1st party insurance, which covers risks of fire.
Having fire insurance cover for your car alone is not sufficient. Drivers should be reminded that a vehicle especially a new vehicle should also have fire extinguishers in it. But, except for commercial vehicles such as vans, buses, lorries and trailers, most cars and other vehicles do not have fire extinguishers.
Before continuing further, permit me to relate a true incident to all my readers. My late father was a lorry driver. During the Japanese occupation, he met an accident. His lorry overturned in an accident one fine day.
My father was pinned underneath his vehicle which caught fire. He was pulled out from the wreckage alive but sustained very serious burns to both his legs. He remained in hospital for over a year.
Ugly burn marks covered my dad’s legs after that. In fact, he was lucky to be alive.
What I am attempting to impress all readers is that, amongst all the emergencies a driver faces, fire which can very likely break out in a vehicle represents the biggest threat.
You can earn all the money in the world, but as the saying goes, “you only but live once!”
Incidentally, my daughter’s, son’s and wife’s vehicles, all possess fire extinguishers in their cars. Why do I make it my responsibility to equip my family member’s vehicles with fire extinguishers?
Because I am a lecturer of the Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu (K.P.P.) course, which in fact is intended to prevent accidents.
What is a fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations.
In case you are unaware, all commercial vehicles, which are inspected once in 6 months by the Puspakom authorities, are required to have fire extinguishers. It is a mandatory requirement.
It is an extremely good move. Syabas and congratulations to the J.P.J. and Transport Authorities for implementing such a good and sound move!
It should in fact be extended to cover all vehicles and cars as well.
If the Jabatan Bomba can make all commercial centres, shops, offices and supermarkets adhere to the mandatory requirement to have these important life saving equipment in their premises, it is my opinion that cars and vehicles on roads can likewise be forced to do the same.
Some readers might disagree with my contention and suggestions. They might even say we can use water as a solution to fire extinguishers if a fire should break out in a vehicle.
It should be reminded that water would affect the wiring system of a vehicle. Furthermore, it causes dampness and rust will evolve. Thus, it is not a good alternative.
A fire which takes but a few minutes to engulf a vehicle will destroy a vehicle within minutes. The only item that can save the driver and passengers is but a fire extinguisher!
Think about it carefully. Hopefully, you’ll take this advice seriously. But unfortunately, and advice can only be given. To take it or otherwise, depends solely upon you and you alone, and no one else.
Comments