The perfume, sterilizer and lighter increase the chances of ignition

6 Common Causes of Vehicle Fires in Summer

A car charred as a result of catching fire. Archival

Frequent fires occur in vehicles, during the summer, in light of the neglect of some to provide the necessary maintenance, in preparation for the period of high temperatures.

Dubai Police is keen to educate members of the community about preventive measures to avoid this problem, identifying the causes of fires, and ways to avoid them, or reduce the losses resulting from them.

An expert specialized in this type of accident stated that there are six main reasons behind vehicle accidents, the first of which is the lack of periodic maintenance of the vehicle, and the replacement of damaged parts with new ones, especially those related to the engine.

"Some people forget maintenance schedules, or neglect them, on the grounds that the car responds to them normally, but this is a wrong culture, and it may lead to serious consequences."

"Most modern cars give notices of maintenance dates, or the need to change oil, and other things necessary to ensure their safety," he said, stressing that "this behavior prolongs the life of the vehicle."

"The second reason is to resort to unreliable repair workshops to fix faults, as some prefer to save on these things, meaning people who are not competent, and have no advantage except that they provide their services at cheaper prices, which is harmful," he said.

He stated that «the third cause of car fires, lack of attention or treatment of leakage, whether in oil or fuel», stressing that «this is very important, especially in light of the significant rise in temperatures».

He explained that the fourth reason is «adding new electrical connections in the wrong way to the car, in light of the obsession of some young people to provide cars, in a way that may not suit the nature of the vehicle, or make fundamental modifications to increase its speed or the sound of its engine, which violates its safety», warning against the installation of external additions from unapproved parties, as they usually lead to frequent malfunctions, and are a major cause of the outbreak of vehicle fires.

The fifth reason behind this type of accident is the lack of certainty of the level of coolant water in the engine (radiator), attributing this to the lack of attention of a group of drivers, or their lack of knowledge, how to read the indicators of the vehicle, stressing that «it is necessary to check the car before setting off, or follow it periodically, especially in the summer».

He added that the sixth reason, which is a frequent mistake by many, is to leave flammable materials in the vehicle, such as perfumes, sterilizers and lighters, pointing out that some fires occur when the lighter falls under one of the car seats, and when someone tries to move the seat forward or backward, friction occurs with the lighter, and the fire breaks out, in addition to the high temperature inside the car increases the chances of ignition of these materials, appealing to vehicle drivers to pay attention to this error, because it reflects personal behavior that can Avoid it by being aware and cautious.

He called for following the prevention and safety guidelines in vehicles, conducting periodic inspections, and continuous maintenance, to ensure their suitability on the roads.

He also called for ensuring the safety of tires and operating devices, and to leave the vehicle immediately in the event of a smell of combustion or smoke rising from it, in addition to learning to use fire extinguishers in anticipation of any emergency.