Traveling on Route 66 represents long trips by families on vacation and by the trucking industry which became the primary mode of delivering goods across the country. As traffic along the highway increased, safety became an increasing concern. As a result, the concept of a “Safety Kit” was born. Safety kits are important to drivers and may also be important to those buildings where cars are parked like residential garages.
A Safety Kit can include many things, but by definition the Safety Kit should serve the purpose of enabling the traveler to mitigate a real threat or quickly seek help so as to continue on their journey. So, a Safety Kit can include items carried on a vehicle or simply be a subscription to a service that will come to the scene of a traveler in distress. For the purposes of this short article, a Safety Kit will focus on items carried in the vehicle itself.
The “Safety Kit” can include items designed to address the following problems:
• Flat tires • Vehicle will not start • Fire • Injury • Survival
Most vehicles are equipped with spare tires, either full-size spare or short distance spares. As long as the tire is inflated and the vehicle comes with proper tools, a traveler can get back on the road in a short period of time. But, the spare tire is useless if it is not inflated. To solve this problem, portable tire inflators are available for less than $200. They are easy to use and have their own built-in battery. When charged, the battery is also capable of jump-starting the car. This device also includes a flashlight. Just remember to keep these devices fully charged.
Internal combustion engine and electric vehicles run the risk of fires. In the event of a vehicle fire, it is always best to get out of the vehicle and maintain a safe distance. In the rare instance where vehicle contents are worth saving, one might attempt to use a good old fashioned fire extinguisher. An ABC-rated fire extinguisher is designed to fight flammable liquid and electrical fires. Choose a model with a metal valve and an automotive grade mounting bracket to ensure it remains secure during a collision.
Electric vehicle fires are a completely different story as these vehicles are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Once the lithium-ion battery catches fire, it is almost impossible to extinguish. Many fire departments simply allow the car to burn. This option allows toxic fumes to be released. Other fire departments use suppressant gel, although the fire truck has to be equipped with a special nozzle to deploy the gel.
Another technique is to use a combination of a fire blanket and aerosol suppressant. Aerosol suppressants are effective in enclosed environments. Covering a burning electric vehicle with a fire blanket creates a semi-enclosed environment tight enough for the aerosol suppressant to be tossed under the car. This can be effective but should not be tried without proper training.
As electric cars become more widespread, so does the potential for garage fires. This is particularly important for community associations with garages. Most garages do not have any type of fire suppression systems. In enclosed environments such as garages, basements, and apartments, fire departments increasingly use portable aerosol suppression devices. When activated, aerosol devices fill a room with suppressing mist in about 60 seconds. A single aerosol unit can suppress a fire in a room up to 5300 cubic feet (about the size of a two- car garage). These aerosol devices can be
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