Why are fire engines red?

Question

Why are fire engines red?

Answer 1

The fire trucks where I live are lime green.  

I suppose that any bright color along with the flashing lights and sirens would help to get people's attention so they can get out of their way.

Answer 2

Not all engines are red. Some are yellow, silver and green. it actually depends on the city what color they are.

Answer 3

They're bright colors so their easier to see when they're driving fast to fires, especially night time.

Red is common for tradition.

Answer 4

Because Red Stands out. That way when the truck is on the road the drivers will notice and move out of their way.

Answer 5

they like to stand out with the color red.Plus if you get to close to the fire that is the color your skin will turn?

Answer 6

They aren't always red.  I've seen yellow ones. Come to think of it, you see both of those colors in flames.

Answer 7

In 1800's the firemen used red paint because that was the most expensive to purchase.

Answer 8

Back in the ooooold days, all automobiles were black, so any red vehicle would really stand out!  Hence red fire-fighting vehicles.

Back in the 1970s, though, studies proved that chartreuse (bright yellow) stands out much better, so American-LaFrance, the largest maker of FF equipment, began making chartreuse fire trucks.

Today, you see both colors.  Some communities go for the traditional red, while others like the modern new yellow.

Go figure.