Indiana Car Fires: How To Stay Safe And Prevent Injury

In some cases, the dangerous of an Indiana car accident don’t end with the initial collision. As we saw in a I-265 Clark County car accident this month, already traumatic vehicle crashes can lead to dangerous and deadly car fires.

Car fires can begin because or an accident, or they can happen independently of a collision. Either way, car fires can release toxic fumes, lead to explosions, and endanger anyone who might be trapped inside. Car fires are more common that you might think; in fact, one out of four fires are car fires and one out of eight fire fatalities are car fire deaths.

How can you stay safe during a car fire?

• Get out of the car immediately. Car fires can spread extremely quickly, and nothing that is in your car is worth saving that is more important that the lives of your and your passengers. Don’t stop to save any material goods – get out and run away.
• Run 100 yards away from the car and prevent others from approaching it. A serious car fire can involve explosions, shrapnel, and chemical smoke, so you want to get as far away as possible.
• Call for help as soon as you are safely away from the car fire. Call for medical help if anyone involved in the car accident has been injured.
• Don’t try to put out the fire. Small car fire extinguishers probably can’t contain a car fire – and you have to be close to the car in order to use one. Instead, wait for professional firefighters to arrive on the scene.
• Keep a seatbelt cutter in your front console. During an accident, you could become trapped by your seatbelt. Have a sharp object nearby that you can use to cut yourself or a passenger out could be a lifesaver.

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