MOTORISTS have been warned against leaving flammable items such as perfumes, hand sanitisers and lighters in their cars as soaring summer temperatures raise the risk of vehicle fires.
Speaking on the Al Aman show on social media, Hidd Police Station head Colonel Dr Osama Bahar revealed that there have been around 800 cases of cars catching fire so far this year.
He urged drivers to take precautions to avoid having their vehicles end up in flames, and recommended investing in measures such as extinguishers in case something happens.
“A study indicated that it takes 20 minutes for a fire to spread and completely burn down the entire car,” said Col Dr Bahar.
“However, it only takes 15 minutes for you to take steps that will not only stop the flames from igniting, but also protect the people around you, and prevent any damage to other vehicles.
“For example, a fire extinguisher costs only around BD8.
“According to statistics, the number of cars that have caught fire in this country so far this year is almost 800 vehicles.”
Col Dr Bahar
Col Dr Bahar listed negligence and complacency as the main reason for most of the cases in the country. He stated that some people neglect to perform a periodic maintenance which could end up being critical in protecting their property.
“Not carrying out vehicular maintenance, especially of the electrical system, is dangerous,” he said.
“It is important to replace damaged parts and to check for and prevent leaks in the car engine.
“Car overheating is a common significant issue in our hot region, especially during the summer.
“The combination of vehicles overheating and fuel leakage, whether from the engine or elsewhere, are the most common reasons why cars catch fire in Bahrain.
“All of these reasons require you to pay attention to the car’s maintenance and take it to a professional and reliable mechanic.”
Col Dr Bahar also warned people against leaving highly flammable materials as the high summer heat could be very dangerous.
Alcohol-based perfumes can cause a fire in a car. The liquid leaks in high heat, creating a hazard if it comes into contact with a spark or flame.
High temperatures can also cause the liquid and its container to expand and potentially leak, leading to an explosion that can trigger a fire, especially with aerosol cans. For similar reasons, he warned against leaving hand sanitisers and lighters inside vehicles.
“These are things that you must always pay attention to,” he said.
“Never leave perfumes in the car, as they are direct causes of fire, nor any other items containing petroleum or alcohol.
“Sunlight can cause them to burn and sometimes explode.
“Ensure you take all of these belongings with you when you leave the vehicle without fail, and you will minimise the chances of your vehicle going up in flames.”
He suggested that in case your vehicle catches fire while driving, pull over to the side of the road or a safe location and turn off the engine. Immediately evacuate the vehicle and move to a safe distance away.
Then dial 999 and calmly explain the situation and where you are and wait for Civil Defence officers to arrive at the scene.
If you have an extinguisher and the fire is limited to the engine, you can start fighting the flames from the bonnet, as most are caused by a short circuit. Don’t lift the bonnet so as to avoid burns and to avert the possibility of the fire spreading.
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