Summer Vehicle Safety Tips
July 23, 2010
Wentzville, MO
The summer vacation and driving season is in full swing with travelers taking to the highways in their cars, trucks and RV’s. Safety should be on everyone’s to do list before they take to the roads. But, many times this takes a back seat in the planning of our vacations. We plan our routes, where we will stay, what sites we will stop at along the way and where we will eat. Usually we get our vehicle’s oil changed prior to the trip. This is the time we should get a full service check done to ensure not only the best performance from our vehicle but its over-all safety as well.
As vehicle owners and operators we should always check our vehicles. Some simple safety checks are: engine fluid levels, air filter condition, tire air pressure and tread depth. Always check your vehicle operators manual for the specific fluid levels, type, pressures and other safety related checks for your vehicle. One other simple safety tip is to NEVER top off the fuel tank anytime of the year especially during the summer months. The over filling can cause the fuel tanks to over pressurize and vent flammable gases. If this happens in an enclosed area such as a garage, it will cause a serious fire hazard. So as the placards at the service station says, “Do Not Top Off Your Tank”.
In recent weeks, there have been a number of safety recall notices from several vehicle manufacturers. We all know someone that has received one of these notices and have put off scheduling the repair for one reason or another. These recalls are important and can be as simple as a seat adjustment bolt to a fuel system problem to acceleration/braking issues. Many of these recalls are voluntary and are a simple fix. Others are involuntary and have been proven to be a serious safety risk. Recalls are found in passenger vehicles, campers, RV’s, commercial trucks and even emergency vehicles.
The Wentzville Fire Protection District recently had a recall on its new fire engine that required a simple repair to stop a potential serious safety issue. As responsible owners, we should always get any recall work done as soon as possible no matter what type it is to prevent a safety issue and to maintain our vehicle in top performance.
To find out if your vehicle has any recalls, please consult your local dealer or check out the manufacturer’s web-site. Owners can also contact the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) on their web-site at www.nhtsa.com for a complete recall list for all manufacturers of vehicles and equipment.
The firefighters and staff of the Wentzville Fire Protection District want everyone to have a safe summer and vacation travel season. The Wentzville Fire District covers 88 square miles of Western St. Charles County and includes the cities of Wentzville, Foristell, Flint Hill, and Josephville; as well as large portions of Lake St. Louis, Dardenne Prairie and O’Fallon.
From the Wentzville Fire District
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