I and Divyarth were at the dinner table. "You know dad," he told "Today one sir were taking a session on fire safety at our school. And he told that we should keep A B and C type fire extinguisher in car."
"Hm..." I replied "Actually, son, instead of fire extinguisher, we should keep a foldable bicycle in the car." I looked at him with serious face.
"Cycle? Why?" He was highly confused.
"Because, Divyarth, if our car is under fire, all one can do is try to get out of the car and go as far as possible in shortest possible time. So, bicycle."
He bursted into laugh (and many of you also are right now). But I was damn serious.
"Dad, joking?"
"Naaaaaa.. me serious!!" I told him.
He also got a bit serious, but still that cycle idea was making him laugh which he was trying to hide and stop.
"Because, actually, the car has many parts which are made of inflammable material like plastic, rubber, seat-lining. Also, it carries fuel and oil, which are highly inflammable. Except passenger cabin, all the parts of the car are exposed to high-speed wind and heat. So, just a spark at wrong place and that is enough. By the time we come to know about fire in the cabin, it would be too late.
"Now tell me, son, don't you think cycle is the best idea?" He appeared to be a bit convinced, which I could notice from his expression-less face and big big eyes.
I thought this is the best time to give him some care fire safety lessons.
"So? Look for early signals of fire, like smoke behind or on sides of the car, abnormal vibration or noise, car gets imbalanced, etc. But you don’t need to be so cautious that you forget to enjoy the nazaara around, because as a driver, the nano keeps on giving me so many type of inputs, in terms of vibrations, engine sound, radiator fan sound, AC, tyres, and I also keep on watching SVRM, and OVRM.
"We don't go beyond 60 kmph, expect for overtaking. We will be extra careful when we drive in very hot afternoons. Such precautions will keep us and our cutie safe.
And in case such incidence happens when you are traveling in our or another car, open the window glass if closed, meanwhile I shall bring the car to a halt as soon as possible, you should immediately unlock your door, open the door, come out of the car, don’t close the door as other passengers can come out, and run away from the car to safety.”
"Chet to nar sada sukhi?" He asked. “Yes, and kids too. :-).” I smiled at him.
Satisfied with my answer and having completed his dinner, he went to watch TV.
