Summer Means Greater Chance
for Highway Vehicle Fires

Auto Fire Extinguisher from Kidde Offers Protection In Case of Emergency

Mebane, NC, June 5, 2006 – More highway vehicle fires occur in June, July and August than during any other time of year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). With the summer travel season right around the corner, Kidde, the world’s leader in fire safety products, announces the launch of its new automobile fire extinguisher that could help keep families safer during an emergency situation.

In 2004, more than 266,000 highway vehicle fires were reported and caused nearly $1 billion in property loss and 520 civilian deaths.  Yet, few drivers think of a fire extinguisher as a critical component of their car safety kit. The NFPA states that mechanical or electrical failures caused 71 percent of highway vehicle fires, which often begin in the engine, running gear or wheel area.  A fire extinguisher within reach inside the vehicle can be useful in an emergency or to quickly put out a small, smoldering fire.

“Studies show that most drivers spend nine days a year commuting to and from work; that doesn’t include extra time in the car running errands, or road trips for summer vacations,” said Chris Rovenstine, vice-president of marketing for Kidde.  “Add the peak travel season to the amount of time families spend in their cars today, and it makes sense to have a Kidde auto fire extinguisher in your car’s emergency kit.”

Currently, more than 49 million motorists have joined roadside assistance clubs like the American Automobile Association (AAA), and often purchase emergency kits that contain jumper cables, flares and flashlights. Experts, such as the nonprofit organization Consumers Union that publishes Consumer Reports, recommend motorists include a fire extinguisher in the car for extra security. As with jumper cables and other road kit items, a fire extinguisher could assist a fellow motorist in an emergency.

Safety experts and Kidde recommend that families exit a burning vehicle as quickly as possible. However, some individuals, such as young children, older adults, or others with limited mobility, may have difficulty exiting on their own and could require extra assistance.  A study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that once flames exist in the engine, the fire reaches the passenger compartment in an average of four minutes. Having a fire extinguisher within reach could add precious time to escape an emergency situation or minimize the damage to your vehicle once family members have evacuated the passenger cabin.

The experts at Kidde recommend the following tips when using an auto fire extinguisher:

• Make sure that everyone has exited the vehicle.
• Notify the fire department before attempting to extinguish the fire.
  
• Use your extinguisher only to keep a small, smoldering, contained fire from growing or to create a safe pathway from the vehicle.
  
• Read the instructions and become familiar with your fire extinguisher’s parts and operation BEFORE a fire breaks out.
  
• Remember the “PASS” system:
  · Pull the pin. Hold unit upright.
  · Aim at the base of the fire.
  · Squeeze lever.
  · Sweep from side to side.

Kidde’s new automobile fire extinguisher offers additional safety for travelers, and contains a non-toxic extinguishing agent, designed for easy cleanup in the vehicle. The unit has an easy-to-pull safety pin and comes with a UL-approved strap that makes it easy to mount inside the vehicle’s passenger compartment or trunk.  The Kidde Automobile Fire Extinguisher retails for $15 and is available in Wal-Mart’s automotive department and select automotive retailers. 

About Kidde

As the world’s largest manufacturer of fire safety products, Kidde’s mission is to provide solutions that protect people and property from the effects of fire and its related hazards. For more than 80 years industry leaders, the military, airlines and firefighters have relied on Kidde to deliver superior fire detection and suppression. Consumers will find that same advanced fire safety technology in Kidde's residential and commercial smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and other life safety products.  Based in Mebane, N.C., Kidde is part of UTC Fire & Security, a leading global supplier of fire safety and security services, serving government, industrial, commercial and retail industries with brand names, such as Kidde, Chubb and others. UTC Fire & Security is a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the aerospace and commercial building industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kidde.com. 

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