Mini fire extinguishers are "sold out" even though the price has increased 4 times.

The sudden increase in demand for fire extinguishers has caused fire protection equipment stores in Hanoi to quickly run out of stock.

"Sold out" due to sudden increase in demand

According to Circular 57 of the Ministry of Public Security, starting from January 6, the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police (PCCC) will coordinate with the Traffic Police to inspect and fine car owners if they do not equip fire prevention and fighting equipment. However, when the penalty regulation takes effect, drivers have just begun to rush to buy car fire extinguishers.

The sudden increase in demand for fire extinguishers has caused firefighting equipment stores in Hanoi to quickly run out of stock. Within just two days, from January 6 to January 8, on streets specializing in firefighting equipment such as Le Duan, Yet Kieu, and Nguyen Du, stores were almost completely out of stock.

A quick survey of some stores revealed that there were very few products for people to choose from. Most fire extinguishers were made in China, did not have inspection stamps, and did not have information in Vietnamese for people to read.

Most mini fire extinguishers are from China and do not have inspection stamps.

When VietnamPlus reporters expressed their desire to buy a mini fire extinguisher, they were always met with a shake of the head from the sellers. Some places still had stock, but the price had been raised to an unbelievable level, 300,000 - 400,000 VND/extinguisher, while the usual price was only 80,000 VND.

Mr. Pham Hai (Thanh Xuan) shook his head in disappointment and said: "I only had time to go buy it today, but having to pay 300,000 VND for a 500ml spray bottle is too expensive." Even though the price was increased 4 times and there was no inspection stamp, he still had to accept it because he had been to many places but still could not buy the product.

After going around more than a dozen stores to find a fire extinguisher with an inspection stamp from the Fire Prevention and Fighting Department but failing, Mr. Hoai Linh (Co Nhue) said that for the safety of his family, he had to accept buying an imported fire extinguisher that cost more than 1 million VND/bottle.

The owner of a labor protection equipment store at 73B Nguyen Du (Hanoi) shared that the imported mini cylinder for cars with inspection stamps priced at about 300,000 VND/cylinder is currently in short supply, even out of stock.

When asked about the prices of mini fire extinguishers, many sellers said that because of the sudden increase in demand, they increased the prices to make more money. When the supply is abundant, the prices will definitely return to a stable level.

Referring to online shopping sites, mini fire extinguishers for cars are sold on the market with all kinds and different prices, making buyers feel lost in a matrix of prices.

'Chaotic' prices of mini fire extinguishers on online shopping sites. (Screenshot)

“I just found this stall selling 70,000 VND/bottle but when I went to another stall, the price was 200,000 VND/bottle exactly the same. I really don’t know what to do,” said Ms. Nhung, a female driver.

The worry of buying a "time bomb"

Many dealers said they are preparing to import a large number of Chinese fire extinguishers without inspection stamps because most buyers do not care much about this issue. Even a labor protection store on Nguyen Du Street revealed that fire extinguishers labeled as Korean or Russian are all Chinese products. If customers want inspection stamps, they will also… stick them on if they need them.

Some drivers, when asked about buying this fire extinguisher, still expressed concern after learning that if not properly stored, the extinguisher will explode.

Many drivers are worried about installing 'time bombs' on their cars.

Mr. Pham Hai (Thanh Xuan) said: “After researching, I learned that fire extinguishers can easily explode at high temperatures. On summer days, the weather can reach nearly 40 degrees Celsius. If you park your car in the sun, the temperature inside the car will reach 60-70 degrees Celsius. Keeping a fire extinguisher in your car is no different from carrying a time bomb on your person.”

Regarding this concern, Colonel Dao Huu Thang - Deputy Director of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Department affirmed: "Fire extinguishers placed on cars cannot catch fire, explosions are rare."

According to the Colonel, there are many types of fire extinguishers on the market today with full sizes and types imported to Vietnam from many countries. Protective equipment and fire prevention and fighting equipment when put into use and sold on the market must be inspected through the Central and local Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department, and quality products must have inspection stamps. When shopping and choosing fire extinguishers for cars, people should go to reputable stores, carefully check the products and buy fire extinguishers that have been inspected and have stamps.

“We have also received feedback about not having enough cylinders to sell. This situation reminds me of the early days of implementing the helmet regulation, when supply could not meet demand. However, with the movement of the market, this problem will soon be resolved,” Colonel Dao Huu Thang shared.

Colonel Thang said that the Department and related units are actively coordinating to propagate, disseminate, and educate about the law as well as knowledge about equipping this vehicle, as well as how to use it and escape skills in case of an accident.

From January 6, the Fire Police will coordinate with the Traffic Police to inspect and fine car owners if they are not equipped with fire prevention and fighting equipment.

The Colonel emphasized: "Equipping fire prevention and fighting equipment is not only to comply with legal regulations, but the main goal is to protect the safety of ourselves, the people in the vehicle."

According to Vietnam+