KFF warns perfume bottles, cigarette lighters, power banks can trigger vehicle fires
. . . Kuwait recorded 742 similar fires between January and December 2025
The Kuwait Fire Force has urged motorists to avoid leaving pressurized containers and electronic devices inside parked vehicles during the summer, warning that extreme temperatures can turn everyday items into potential fire hazards.
Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Gharib, Director of Public Relations and official spokesperson for the Kuwait Fire Force, said the country recorded 742 vehicle fires between January and December 2025, prompting renewed calls for greater public awareness during the hottest months of the year.
Al-Gharib explained that objects many people routinely leave inside their cars, such as perfume bottles, cigarette lighters, power banks, and mobile phone chargers, can become dangerous when exposed to Kuwait’s intense summer heat.
Pressurized containers, including perfume bottles and aerosol products, can build up pressure as temperatures rise and may rupture or explode.
Likewise, lithium-ion batteries found in power banks and some electronic devices can overheat, increasing the risk of fire if they are defective, damaged, or exposed to prolonged heat.
However, these are not the only causes of vehicle fires. Al-Gharib said mechanical and electrical faults also play a major role, including fuel leaks, damaged electrical wiring, faulty batteries, loose electrical connections, and engine overheating caused by insufficient radiator coolant or poor vehicle maintenance.
He urged motorists to inspect their vehicles regularly, avoid storing flammable or heat-sensitive items inside parked cars, and ensure cooling and electrical systems are properly maintained, particularly during the summer season.
According to KFF statistics, firefighters responded to 3,468 fire incidents across Kuwait in 2025.
The Ahmadi Governorate recorded the highest number of fires with 542 incidents, followed by Farwaniyah (534), Mubarak Al-Kabeer (531), Hawalli (483), the Capital Governorate (477), and Jahra (465). Additional incidents were reported in the northern and southern regions.
The statistics also showed 819 residential building fires, 507 fires in non-residential properties, 742 vehicle fires, and 11 marine vessel fires during the year.
As part of its summer safety campaign, the Kuwait Fire Force has republished educational videos reminding the public of the dangers of leaving chargers, power banks, perfume bottles, lighters, and other pressurized containers inside vehicles exposed to direct sunlight.
Al-Gharib stressed that many vehicle fires can be prevented through simple precautions, urging motorists to remove potentially hazardous items from their cars and carry out regular maintenance to protect lives, property, and vehicles during Kuwait’s extreme summer temperatures.
