Is A Car Fire Extinguisher Safe? [How Much Are They?]
Fire can occur in any car, no fault of your own. Whether In your car or RV, a fire can occur. A fire extinguisher can help mitigate damage and put out flames. It is one of the best tools for unexpected emergencies that can sometimes occur.
A fire extinguisher is safe to put in your car, truck, or RV as long as it is secured down and not too hot or too cold. Keep your fire extinguisher from rattling around, and avoid temperatures above 120 °F and below -40 °F. Small-size fire extinguishers range from $15 to $50.
While you can keep a large fire extinguisher in your vehicle, a smaller and easier-to-use fire extinguisher is helpful to put in your vehicle. There are lots of options for small and large extinguishers. USE CAUTION! Although it may not be safe to put out a car fire, having a fire extinguisher may help in certain emergency situations.
Here are 5 fire extinguishers you can use for your car.
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What is a Fire Extinguisher?
There is perhaps no better and simpler way to define a fire extinguisher than being a handy piece of equipment that will allow you to extinguish the fire quickly. Most put out electrical and liquid fire types. We commonly see them in commercial establishments and at homes. In addition, they can be great for automobiles, including motorhomes and trucks.
Some Precautions To Think About (This Article Is For informational purposes only)
- Don’t store your fire extinguisher in your car if you expect temperatures to reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don’t put out a vehicle fire if it puts you or others in danger.
- Usually it’s best to move far away to a safe place when it catches on fire and call the fire department.
- “Attempt to put out the fire only if you have clear access to the source, have a suitable fire extinguisher, know how to use it correctly, and can maintain a safe distance away from the car.” (consumerreports.org)
Vehicle Fire Extinguishers
1. First Alert Kitchen Fire Extinguisher
Despite its size, it can deliver exceptional performance. I personally liked how lightweight and compact it is, which makes it a perfect addition to your RV. Whether it is a fire that originates from trash or electrical equipment, you can be confident that it will help you to extinguish it quickly. Plus, this can also provide you with peace of mind since the manufacturer is offering good warranty coverage.
Main Product Features:
- Rated 5 B:C
- Uses sodium bicarbonate for liquid and electrical fires.
- 10 Year Warrenty
- For small fires
Pros:
- Great size for use on the road
- Has clear instructions
2. First Alert Fire Extinguisher
This is another product that you might want to consider for a fire extinguisher. It is short in height and very easy to use. Nonetheless, it can discharge 4 times longer than a traditional fire extinguisher. Good on fires that involve paper, wood, grease, and electrical equipment. It is a good thing that it comes with a compact design, making it the perfect choice for the whole family.
Main Product Features:
- 22 oz Spray Can
- 32 Seconds of Spray
- Dimensions: 9.65 inches tall
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Biodegradable and nontoxic
- 3-yr warranty
3. Jogoswall Automatic Fire Extinguisher
Although this device is not handheld, it can put out fires safely without the need for the driver to put themselves in harm’s way.
It can last up to 10 years in your car engine and is not under pressure, so you don’t have to worry about accidental explosions. Once the extinguisher is on fire, or the surrounding temperature reaches 170 degrees, the extinguisher will spray out a gas that extinguishes the fire.
Main Product Features:
- Automatically puts out engine fires
- Safe on enigine
- Lasts up to 10 years
- Easy installation
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Use in many places that you want to keep safe from fire
- Puts out fires before they get out of control
4. First Alert Fire Extinguisher
This one comes with a mounting bracket so you can secure it in place if needed. It has a compact design and can be used in any vehicle. First Alert claims that there are ” over 400,000 reported car fires each year.” Having some protection can give you some peace of mind.
Main Product Features:
- Easy to see instructions
- For liquid and electrical fires
Pros:
- Size is perfect for automobiles
- Small but effective
- Has an excellent durable metal body and easy to use handle
5. Kidde Mariner 5 Marine Fire Extinguisher for Boats, 5-B:C
This is another compact designed fire extinguisher that is perfect for boats and automobile use. One thing that you might love about this product is the fact that it comes with a built-in pressure gauge, which will make it easy to monitor if there is still charge and if it’s ready to be used in case of an emergency.
It is also worth noting that the manufacturer is offering warranty for six years, which is one of the testaments of belief in the quality of their product.
Main Product Features:
- Effectively fights Class B & C fires
- Gauge to determine how full it is
- Warranty: 12 years
Pros:
- USGS approved
- Comes with a strap bracket
- Has clear instructions
What Are the Different Types of the Best Fire Extinguisher
Depending on the specific type of fire extinguisher, the cylinder is filled with a specific type of chemical. It can extinguish different types of fire depending on its classification. Some of the most common chemicals include carbon dioxide and potassium bicarbonate.
Before buying a fire extinguisher, one of the first things that you should do is to decide on what specific type is best for your needs. They can be categorized based on their class. With this, the following are the options that you will have.
- Class A Fire Extinguisher: With this class, it means that the product can be used for fire that is caused by trash, wood, or paper. The main component of this fire extinguisher is mono-ammonium phosphate.
- Class B Fire Extinguisher: This type, on the other hand, can be made from mono-ammonium phosphate or sodium bicarbonate. The latter engages a chemical reaction that will be effective in extinguishing fire that is caused by flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and paint.
- Class C Fire Extinguisher: Lastly, for fire that is due to live electrical equipment, this is the class that is ideal.
Aside from the class, they can also be categorized on the basis of the materials that they have and the mechanism by which they work:
- Water and Foam: As the name implies, it makes use of water and foam to take out the heat element from the source of fire. This type is ideal only for Class A fire.
- Carbon Dioxide: With this type, the oxygen and the heat will be taken away from the source of fire.
- Dry Chemical: On the other hand, this works by altering the chemical reaction in the fire element causing it to be extinguished quickly.
- Wet Chemical: The good thing about this type is that it does not only remove the heat from the source of fire, but it is also instrumental in the prevention of re-ignition.
- Dry Powder: This works in almost the same way as dry chemical fire extinguisher.
What are the Benefits of a Fire Extinguisher
If you are not convinced that a fire extinguisher can prove to be a great investment, you might have a change of mind after learning about the benefits that it can deliver, which will include the following:
- It Can Easily Eliminate Fire: This is perhaps the most significant benefit of having a fire extinguisher. When you are RV camping or when on the road, this can prove to be an easy way to extinguish fire, especially when water is not available.
- It is Easy to Use: Most of the fire extinguishers in the market have clear instructions on the body. They are also designed with pin that is easy to pull and a handle that will be comfortable to hold.
- It is Lightweight and Compact: You do not need to have a fire extinguisher that is as big as the one you have at home or those used in commercial establishments. Those that are for automobiles are sleek and lightweight, making them space-efficient.
- It Lasts Long: Depending on the product that will be chosen, there is no need to worry even if they are not used within a short time after purchase. You can keep them for an extended period while being sure that they will still deliver optimal functionality.
How to Choose the Best Fire Extinguisher
To make it easier for you to make the right choice, the following are some of the most important things that you should consider:
- Size: Remember, we are talking about fire extinguishers that are used exclusively for vehicles. With this, one of the most important is for such to be compact. With its sleek design, this means that it will be space-efficient, making it easy to keep even in a small car.
- Weight: This is important when it comes to portability and being user-friendly. If the fire extinguisher is lightweight, it will be easy for you to hold it when the time comes that you have to use the unit.
- Ease of Use: Aside from being lightweight, another thing that is important is for the manufacturer to provide comprehensive instructions on the label. Be sure that you are familiar with how to use the fire extinguisher to yield the highest level of effectiveness when it comes to putting off fire.
- Handle: The design of the handle will have an impact on ease of use. See to it that it is ergonomic and that it will be easy to have it pulled. Also, it should not be flimsy. Otherwise, it will easily break.
- Warranty: If you want the best bang for the buck and peace of mind, you have to choose a product that comes with extensive warranty coverage. The latter means that you will be able to rely on support from the manufacturer if the product proves to be defective.
- Technical Specifications: Take a look at the technical details to easily determine how one is better than the other. Some of the most important include discharge rate, discharge range, and maximum temperature resistance. Discharge rate means how long it will take before the chemicals are discharged out of the unit to fight fire. Distance range, on the other hand, refers to how long it can reach. Lastly, maximum temperature resistance refers to the level of heat that the product can withstand. Be sure not to leave it inside the car during the summer months because of the risk of explosion.
Conclusion
While you might not need a fire extinguisher, the more time you spend in your car the more likely you may encounter an incident where a fire could occur. As long as you car cautious about storing and using a fire extinguisher, you can recieve peace of mind and the benefits of putting out a vehicle fire when it is safe to do so.
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