Keep a fire extinguisher in car

My article in today's The Star Newspaper.


OF late, there have been vehicles catching fire in accidents resulting in death. There is a regulation requiring all public service vehicles to have fire extinguishers but not private vehicles.

I think it is high time that such regulation be applied to all motor vehicles for the benefit of everyone.

At the cost of a few hundred ringgit, the fire extinguisher helps to save lives. Whenever a vehicle catches fire, every other vehicle can chip in if they are equipped with a fire extinguisher. Maybe insurance companies can give rebates on this because it helps to prevent a total loss of the insured vehicle which is on fire, thus saving them a heavy payout for the vehicle. I am sure everyone would be proud to help when a car is on fire.

The cost may be a bit stiff for some owners but it is only a one-time payment and a fire extinguisher has a long life span.

The move could start with all new vehicle registration. Like the first aid kits and hazard triangles, a fire extinguisher should be made compulsory.

K.C. KHOO,
Tg. Bungah, Penang.