Top 10 tips for dealing with a car fire

At King Price, your safety is our top priority. You could even say that we’re all fired up about your safety. Unfortunately, there’s another kind of fire out there, and it’s not a good thing at all. Cars catch alight more often than you like to think, and car fires can lead to serious damage, injuries, and even loss of life.

To empower our South African drivers, we’ve put together 10 vital tips to help you navigate the frightening scenario of a car fire:

Stay calm and act quickly: Panicking during a car fire can worsen the situation. Remain calm, clear your thoughts, and react as speedily as you can.
Safely pull over: The moment you notice smoke or flames, find a safe place to pull over as soon as possible. Avoid parking your car near buildings or other vehicles, to prevent the fire from spreading.
Switch off your car’s engine: This step may halt the fire from being fed by your car’s systems.
Evacuate the car: Get all passengers out of the car swiftly. Ensure everyone moves to a safe distance, preferably about 30m away.
Call 10111: Once you’re safe, contact the emergency services. Provide them with clear details about your location and what’s happening.
Don’t extinguish the fire yourself: Unless the fire is small and you’ve had professional training, it’s safer to wait for the fire brigade. Car fires can quickly become uncontrollable due to the flammable substances in vehicles.
Don’t open the bonnet or boot if they’re smoking: This action could allow more oxygen in, causing the fire to intensify.
Get in touch with King Price: When you’re out of immediate danger, and if you’re a King Price car insurance client, the king has you covered, 24/7/365. Our emergency assist line is just a call away. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. So, please save our emergency assist number on your phone now: 0860 50 50 50 (and press 9). The sooner we’re informed, the quicker we can help you.
Document the incident: If it’s safe, take photos from a distance to facilitate your insurance claim process.
Have a professional safety inspection done before driving again: Even if your car looks driveable, have it inspected by a professional to confirm that it’s safe to use.