Driving a vehicle on the job requires you to be familiar with the potential risk of fire, how to reduce those risks and what to do in an emergency. Vehicle fires can break out for many reasons. Smoking, overheated tires, dragging brakes, faulty wiring or exhaust system failures are just some of the causes of vehicle fires. We cannot be with you all the time you’re on the road, so it is important to exercise the following prevention techniques to ensure your safety.
Conduct monthly inspections of all battery cables. This includes looking for:
In the event that a fire does occur while you are driving, stop the vehicle immediately as far off the road as possible and get out. Do your best to stop the vehicle in an open area away from buildings, trees or other vehicles. Call emergency personnel, and do your best to stop traffic at least 2,000 feet around your vehicle. If the fire is located in your tires, douse them with water, a dry chemical extinguisher or dirt. If the fire is located in your engine, use a dry chemical extinguisher but do not open the hood. Lifting the hood will fuel the fire with additional oxygen. If the fire is out of control, do not attempt to do this. Get away from the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.