Where do you keep your car fire extinguisher?

pnwsarahContributor - January 7, 2021

AdviceGear

Feels like an exceedingly mundane thing to post about under the circumstances, but: I was digging back through the blog archives over the holidays and read somewhere (either on TP or in a linked article) that one should keep one’s car fire extinguisher within reach of the driver’s seat. Makes sense, but after driving around for a few days with my fire extinguisher rolling around in the passenger side footwell, I can’t help feeling like it would be a super dangerous projectile in an accident. Does anyone have a good method or approach for safely securing their fire extinguisher within reach of the driver’s seat?

And note I don’t have one of those yawning cavern center console bins with a locking lid, so I’m thinking about strapping the thing to the seat somehow.

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I screwed mine onto the transmission hump in the back seat. Not really reachable from the drivers seat, especially if trapped after an accident. The tool next to the extinguisher usually sits right beside the driver (I moved it for the photo only), it has a metal point for smashing glass and a built in blade for cutting seatbelts. 

Not relevant to the question asked in this thread, but I also carry, behind the rear seat, 2 pure wool blankets (for warmth and bushfire), a puncture repair kit, mini air compressor, snatch strap, first aid kit. In the centre console is a lithium battery jump starting kit. 

 

That’s really clever— what are those attachment straps? Also, what brand is your seatbelt cutter/window smasher tool? 

 

The tool is just a generic brand from ebay. Very similar to this:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Emergency-Safety-Hammer-Glass-Breaker-Tool-Belt-Car-Bus-Cutter-2-in-1-Window/254795975796

I’m sure you could find something on US Ebay. Those straps holding the fire extinguisher are part of the mounting unit it comes supplied with. 

 

I have  and like the Resqme seatbelt cutter and window breaker tool because it’s small, doesn’t depend on swinging and works.  It has a few mounting options and I clip it to the pocket on the driver’s and passenger’s door on all the vehicles we own.  I had to add an o ring or two to keep it from sliding about.  It is in the same place on every vehicle so it can become a consistent habit/instinct to reach for it.  If I ever need it, I don’t want to have to think about its location.   

 

Thanks, Downunder and Alicia. I’ve got two seatbelt cutter tools rn and a length of actual seatbelt and I’m planning to do a test, hence seeking additional brands and models. If I can find some time (I’m really busy at work right now) I’d like to go to a junk yard and see if I can get a car window to break. I really DON’T want to get 3-4 car windows, though, so still thinking this plan through…

 

I saw folks using the Resqme to break car windows in a junk yard on you tube.  I also personally used it on a tempered shower door we were removing during a remodel – not identical to a car door.  

 

My ResqMe is attached to my keys. I also carry an automatic center punch.

 

Excellent suggestion, I have been thinking for years where to place my fire extinguisher and this seems the best. Never thought about it. Thanks!

 

I “remade” my otherwise useless center console to keep a fire extinguishee next to me.  My machine is a Ford F-150 pickup truck that’s nearly devoid of human factors engineering.

Colsole can be pivoted upward for full bench seat.  I keep it up.  On top of a rubbery mat on bench seat, (to prevent slippage), added a 6″ inch tall rectangular plastic container.  This holds extinguisher, some paper towels and rags.

 

I’d love to see a picture of that setup, Bob! Maybe I can find some inspiration for my car…

 

A couple of minor ophthal and optic infirmities restrict my time mostly to narrative only. Doc said to avoid pictures/videos (like, dangerous to me, fluorscent lighting).

Basically, I’m using a small plastic dish washing basin equivalent ~ 6 inches tall and fitting on seat.  At Dollar Tree, pre-COVID era- bought some sticky-ish rubber cabinet mats that are non-slip. 

My D-I-Y console is just a rectangular plastic container with new small towel on bottom, extinguisher, paper towels, some rags for anti-fogging operations and pad of yellow-stickons with pen for notes.

 

“A couple of minor ophthal and optic infirmities restrict my time mostly to narrative only.” — Well said! Ha! Well your narrative painted a picture in my mind’s eye, so thanks for that. 🙂

 

I keep two in my truck.  I have one attached to a seat back organizer (Gray Man Tactical; though 5.11 makes a great one that is much cheaper and more portable).  It is with reach of the driver with a little stretch or via the rear passenger door.  

I also have one in a cabinet on my canopy with other recovery related gear.  You can see it nestled in next to the flares.  Excuse the rest of the mess… 🙂

 

I like that organizer behind the passenger seat. Could attach many things to there that need to be reached easily.

 

Thanks, Tom. I’m really digging the seat organizer— resolves the issue of where to store the tourniquet, flashlight, and some other key items as well as the extinguisher. I bet I could even figure out a way to strap a water bowl on there for my dog. (I’m thinking of all the things that have annoyed me by rolling around in the back seat footwell…) My fire extinguisher project is definitely on hold for now, since I’m having engine trouble and the vehicle in question is old enough that any significant problem could portend the end of it… fingers crossed…

 

Fair notice, I do not keep a fire extinguisher in my car because of temperature limits.

I have found long velcro ties (Velcro One Wrap) to be just terrific. They go into molle webbing, obviously, but can also wrap on to a bit of metal on the under-front passenger seat. In a rush, if peeling them loose isn’t working, they are very cuttable.

 

Fantastic. Could be a good attachment method on a seatback organizer, too. (I drive a small car, and I don’t think an extinguisher would fit under the seat in the front.)

 

Thanks pnwsarah!  I had not done that research.  Of 3 vehicles, only one follows this recommendation.  It’s in a cupholder one the back wall of the extended cab of the pickup truck.  Just below the window and easily grabbed by any occupant.  The other two are under the back deck of a hatchback.  I did put them by the edge for easiest access.  Time to rethink those.   Could possibly fit in a bottle holder in the door.  

 

Yes, I feel like bigger newer cars often have some kind of console or cup holder that would work well for this purpose, but even then, I worry about the extinguisher being hurled out of its spot by the force of an accident. I love the idea of attaching it to the car somehow, and this thread has several great suggestions for ways of going about that. I knew this community had the answers!

 

Flying about in an accident is a good point.  The one in the back of the truck is pretty wedged in there, so I’m less worried about it.   It’s also in the center of the car = reduced likelihood of a direct impact vs on the door.  I was messing around a bit today with placement.  The bottle holder in the driver’s door works although it’s nearly to too tall for it.  The one on the rear door is a perfect snug fit as it is ONLY a bottle holder – not also a storage pocket.  Now if I can reach it from the driver’s seat is another question.  Still better than under the back hatch deck.  Progress!  Thanks for the topic.  

 

Alicia,

It could prove advantegous if you visit your area fire station when there’s some firefighters present.

Get some hints/suggestions from them. 

Frequently enough, you’ll also get some good pamphlets and sometimes a poly tote bag they put the pamphlets in.

My extinguisher is next to me in a small bin like used for washing dishes.  It’s wedged in place by some paper towels and the fireproof gloves worn when using the extinguisher. 

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Bob.  I should visit the the fire station for more than those reasons as I live in wildfire country.  

 

I know this thread has been quiet for a while, but I thought I’d pitch in. I keep my extinguisher in the bad of my truck on a mount. My partner keeps hers in the trunk, although it is a hatch back. I know this might not sit well with some folks.

The reason I have them as far from the driver’s seat and outside of the main cabin is because of the possibility of one of them releasing/exploding accidentally. I was working in a starbucks at the time and out of nowhere, the fire extinguisher on the wall exploded. No one was playing with it. The powder went everywhere and it was quite hard to breathe. My thoughts are if this happens while I’m driving it creates a visibility issue as well as the contents of the canister are quite toxic. I don’t really know the likelihood of this ever happening again, but it was a bad enough experience for me that I didn’t want to risk that happening in an even smaller enclosed space and potentially at high speed.

Most of the times where an extinguisher would have been useful was for someone else on the side of the highway and once when my friends car engine started on fire (luckily we caught it early and I had just enough of an energy drink left to put it out). Until recently, I have lived in California my whole life and am familiar with the threat of fire. It’s pretty scary. 

Hope this helped or provided some food for thought.

 

Laura, your explaination is understood and not a first time event involving equipment.

Still, analysis is required and quality advice from fore fighters in your area necessary.

There are many types of extinguishers on the market and they do need to be checked for pressure (the graphic gage on top) and those with the gray powder inside must be shaken sideways every so often. 

Possibility does exist that an extinguisher in a vehicle can explode.  The PROBABILITY is a different matter. Carrying an extinguisher in the back of truck or car trunk is the equivalent of not having an extinguisher with you.  What if the fire prohibits access to the extinguisher ?

Carrying an accessable extinguisher in truck/car does not directly relate to helping others more often than oneself. It is not the applicable risk.

Now, without negating any of the negative experience you had ref the Starbucks extinguisher explosion, it would be most advantageous for you to visit 3 to 4 fire stations in your area and ask questions. The local area fire fighters know about heated cars in summer, recommended extinguishers and the rest.  

…… and pack good work gloves for extinguisher use.

 

I have talked with a few firefighters who are friends. They feel comfortable with the location and type of my extinguisher.  My extinguisher in my truck is accessible from outside of the bed and works well for me. The only time I forsee it being a problem is if I am pinned in my cab and there are encroaching flames. That is a risk I am ok with with.

Mostly, my comment wasn’t to change anyones mind, but share my experience and let people add that to their knowledge base to make more informed decisions or ask different/better questions.

 

I think I would store mine where you do Laura. There just isn’t that much space inside a cabin of a truck for me to put a fire extinguisher. 

I’ve seen one car go up in flames before, it was an engine fire of a little VW Jetta. A cop pulled up and used up a whole extinguisher on it and it did nothing. Cars go up fast, and you have to be ready fast. But I don’t think that running to the bed of your truck will be the matter of losing your truck or not though.  

 

Well received; Understand, Laura.

You did the proper research and made the proper decision(s) on the risk tolerance.

 

This definitely helped me, Laura— so thank you. It hadn’t occurred to me that my fire extinguisher might explode, and I’m glad to be aware of that hazard.

Also… based on my understanding of how fire extinguishers work and my personal experience using one, I have a hard time envisioning using one effectively to douse flames in close quarters (i.e., to defend myself from fire in my own car). My primary motivation for carrying one in the car was always to help others (the only person I know who has used their car fire extinguisher used it to help douse a car fire after a crash that they witnessed but weren’t directly involved in), and it just seemed like it made sense to have it within reach for quick access. But now I’m wondering about the time saved by keeping it in the cab if you secure it properly (to prevent it from becoming a projectile in an accident). Maybe the work of unstrapping it is such that one may as well just run around to the hatchback/trunk and grab it out from the back of the car.

For years I kept my fire extinguisher in a milk crate of emergency supplies in the back— not totally loose and rolling around, but not strapped down in any way, and separated from the passenger compartment in the event of an accident. Now I feel like maybe that wasn’t the worst thing. 

It’s always hard when you’re comparing really low-probability events— which I think any scenario in which you actually use a car fire extinguisher essentially is?

All this to say, I appreciate the anecdote and comment very much! (Especially since I haven’t yet actually spent money to strap my fire extinguisher within reach of the driver’s seat!)

 

In my van its screwed to the A post , in the car its by the hand brake in the middle. the van also has one in the back near the side door. all three dry powder.

 

In my truck and my wife’s van, they are mounted right under the driver’s seat, so that it can be reached, from the seated position.

I have heard of people mounting one on the center of the interior roof, so that it can be reached by any of the vehicles’ occupants. I didn’t see that being an issue, with only myself and SWMBO, being the only ones in our household. Not counting the furry ones, I don’t expect that they would use a fire extinguisher.

 

How do you keep the fire extinguisher under your seat from getting in the way of the seat sliding mechanism?

 

Good evening Jay Valencia,

The mount is screwed to the floor, just in front of the max forward travel limit of the seat.