Sanitisers can explode and cause car fire, warn civil defence officials in UAE

Abu Dhabi - Sanitisers contain alcohol components that are flammable and shouldn't be left inside cars.

Summer can ignite fires in vehicles and it is important to keep everything in check, the civil defence department in Abu Dhabi has alerted motorists.
"Four things that cause car fires during hot temperatures include lack of periodic maintenance, electrical and technical faults, leaving flammable materials like hand sanitisers, perfumes and lighters inside parked cars and oil leakages on the car engine," noted the authority.
Most vehicle fires in the recent past were due to lack of periodic maintenance or malfunction of technical systems, they added.
In November last year, two Emirati kids were burned to death as the vehicle they were left in caught fire in the Mina area of Abu Dhabi. The Emirati brothers, aged three and one-and-a-half years old, had been apparently left alone in the vehicle when it caught fire.
Drivers were also reminded to ensure the availability of fire extinguishers inside the vehicle for their safety and security while driving.
Motorists who park their vehicles in the open under the direct sun must keep windows slightly open to avoid overheating items left in the car.
Officers cautioned that hand sanitisers are flammable and can explode. "Sanitisers contain alcohol components that are flammable and shouldn't be left inside cars. People should be careful and adhere to the requirements of fire safety," said authorities.
Authorities also urged parents not to leave kids alone in parked vehicles."Leaving a car engine running when children are inside alone, can also lead to endangering of the kids as they always tamper with the vehicle and its engine," said the Abu Dhabi Police.
Four reasons for car fires in summer
>Lack of periodic maintenance
>Electrical and technical faults
>Leaving flammable materials inside parked cars
>Oil leakages on the car engine
ismail@khaleejtimes.com