• Appliances
• Campus and dorm fires
• Candles
• Carbon monoxide
• Children and fire
• Cooking
• Electrical safety
• Emergency preparedness
• Escape planning
• Fire extinguishers
• Fireworks
• Gas, propane, other fuels
• Heating
• High-rise buildings
• Homeland Security
• Home fire sprinklers
• Intentional fires and arson
• Lightning
• Mine fires and explosions
• Natural disasters
• Nightclubs/assembly occupancies
• Nursing homes
• Older adults
• Other occupancies
• People with disabilities
• Seasonal safety
• Smoke alarms
• Smoking material-related fires
• Unintentional injuries
• Vehicle fires
• Wildland fires

Vehicle fires

• In 2002-2005, highway-type vehicle fires accounted for 18% of reported fires and 13% of U.S. civilian deaths.
• Older teens and young adults are age groups at highest risk of highway vehicle fire death.
• On average, 33 highway vehicle fires were reported per hour. These fires killed one person a day.
• Cars and other passenger vehicles account for the vast majority of highway vehicle fires and associated losses. In 2002-2005, only 19% of highway vehicle fire actually occurred on highways; 33% occurred on streets, roads or driveways, and 17% were in parking lots.
• Three-quarters of highway vehicle fires resulted from mechanical or electrical failures or malfunctions. Collisions or overturns caused only 3% of these fires but 57% of the associated deaths.
• One-third of non-fatal highway vehicle fire injuries occurred when civilians attempted to fight the fire themelves.

2002-2005 highway vehicle fires and deaths by fire casual factors See larger image.

Source: National estimates based on NFIRS and NFPA survey

• NFPA members:   Download this report for free.  (PDF, 392 KB)
  All visitors:   Download a printable fact sheet on vehicle fires for free. (PDF, 63 KB)

• All visitors: Download this report for free. (PDF 110 KB)

Safety Tips
Vehicle maintenance is crucial to preventing vehicle fires. The American Automobile Association offers the following tips. Visit the AAA Web site  or call +1 800 AAA-HELP for more information .

• Have your vehicles inspected at least annually by a trained, professional technician.
• Watch for fluid leaks under vehicles, cracked or blistered hoses, or wiring that is loose, has exposed metal or has cracked insulation. Have any of these conditions inspected and repaired as soon as possible.
• Be alert to changes in the way your vehicle sounds when running, or to a visible plume of exhaust coming from the tailpipe. A louder than usual exhaust tone, smoke coming from the tailpipe or a backfiring exhaust could mean problems or damage to the high-temperature exhaust and emission control system on the vehicle. Have vehicles inspected and repaired as soon as possible if exhaust or emission control problems are suspected.
• Avoid smoking. If you must smoke, use your vehicle ashtray.
• Drive according to posted speed limits and other traffic rules. Remain alert to changing road conditions at all times.

• Stop – If possible, pull to the side of the road and turn off the ignition. Pulling to the side makes it possible for everyone to get out of the vehicle safely. Turn off the ignition to shut off the electric current and stop the flow of gasoline. Put the vehicle in park or set the emergency brake; you don’t want the vehicle to move after you leave it. Keep the hood closed because more oxygen can make the fire larger.
• Get Out – Make sure everyone gets out of the vehicle. Then move at least 100 feet away. Keep traffic in mind and keep everyone together. There is not only danger from the fire, but also from other vehicles moving in the area.
• Call for Help – Call 9-1-1 or the emergency number for your local fire department. Firefighters are specially trained to combat vehicle fires. Never return to the vehicle to attempt to fight the fire yourself. Vehicle fires can be tricky, even for firefighters.

NFPA does not test, label or approve any products.
Updated: 7/08