Research around the world has revealed that consistent vehicle maintenance is the key to preventing a car fire.

In countries like the United Kingdom for example, an average of 200 cars catch fire a day in which statistics revealed that 65 per cent were caused by arson and the remaining 35 per cent were due to accidental factors

In the United States for example, every year, statistics revealed that about 90 per cent of an average of 100,000 vehicle fires could have been prevented if owners had invested a few minutes of their time every couple of months.

Accidental causes of vehicle fires range from electrical short circuits, leaking fluids caused by ruptured hoses and damaged catalytic converters to as trivial as someone forgetting to put back the oil fill cap on the valve cover after changing the oil in a vehicle, or a cigarette butt that never made it out of the window.

Preventive measures

• Clean or wash the engine compartment at least once a year.
• Check for oil, fluid or fuel leaks in the engine compartment.
• Check all fuel and fluid lines for loose fittings, cracked or brittle hoses, bent lines, or worn clamps at least yearly. Oil is dangerous, fuel is worse. The high engine temperatures under the bonnet can easily ignite any oil residue. Fires can start when a large amount of oil is spilled on the car’s hot exhaust manifold.
• Check the fuel tank of the vehicle from time to time for traces of fuel leak. Your vehicle’s fuel tank may be damaged while driving or after being hit by a foreign object.
• Ensure that the air filter is replaced in its original position and is properly secured (the lack of an air filter is a common cause for fire in vehicles).
• Visually inspect the vehicle’s electrical system for broken or frayed wires and ensure that all wires are making a good connection. Beware of bad connections and brittle insulation. This should be done in both the engine and passenger compartments.
• Pay attention to fuses and burning smells. If the same fuse is triggered more than once, it’s almost certain that you have a faulty component or a wiring problem. Either situation is a dangerous invitation for a fire. Have the electrical problem inspected and fixed before it causes much more serious problems.
• Never throw any burning material out of a window, as the wind may blow it back into the car. The most common example is a lit cigarette butt.
• Be extremely careful while smoking, or when using an open flame inside the vehicle. Also be careful of handling the electrical cigarette lighter in your vehicle.
• The older a car gets, the greater the importance of maintenance.
• Car owners are strongly advised against making any modifications to the vehicle’s electrical and engine parts. This applies to items such as the in-car entertainment system, additional fog lights, gauges etc. If required, it should be done by a professional mechanic. All alterations, cutting or re-routing of wires or additions to the electrical system should be carried out by qualified mechanics and never attempt to do it your self.
• Avoid keeping anything in the car that is of hazardous and combustible materials that mayleak, rupture or explode.
• Never use heat, naked flames or welding equipment near the fuel tank or fuel lines of a vehicle. Regularly check both inside and outside the vehicle whilst welding.< /li>
• Modern car interiors are largely composed of polymers, plastics and other synthetic materials - all of which are particularly flammable. The smoke and fumes from the outbreak of fire are highly toxic and can be deadly, if inhaled. Simple commonsense and the proper use/disposal of matches and cigarettes will minimise the risk