What should you do if you notice your vehicle is on fire?

If you notice your vehicle is on fire, steering away from people and buildings is crucial for ensuring safety. This action helps to protect both yourself and others from potential harm, as vehicles can ignite explosions or emit harmful fumes. By moving away from populated areas, you reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians or occupants of nearby structures.

While assessing the fire or attempting to extinguish it may seem like a proactive step, these actions can be dangerous if you are not trained or equipped to handle such situations. Opening the hood, for example, can introduce more oxygen to the flames and worsen the fire, while trying to put out the fire may not be effective and could put you at risk. Additionally, calling a mechanic is not immediate enough, as professional assistance will take time to arrive. The priority in any fire situation is personal safety and the safety of others nearby.