Fire extinguishers are a critical first response that can be used to prevent small fires from turning into large, life-threatening fires.
Extinguishers should always be visible and easily accessible. It’s best to keep one fire extinguisher on each level of your home as well as in your basement; and they should be easily accessible where fires are more likely to start, such as in the kitchen, near fireplaces or stoves, and in your garage.
TYPES & SIZE:
Fire extinguishers come in different Classes, and each Class is designed to be used on different kinds of fires.
- Class A – Designed for combustible material fires such as wood, paper, cardboard, plastics, and cloth.
- Class B – Designed to put out flammable liquids like gasoline, solvents, oil, and grease.
- Class C – Designed for energized electrical equipment fires.
- Class D – Designed for flammable metals like magnesium, and
lithium.
- Class K – Designed for commercial cooking purposes.
Combination ABC Class fire extinguishers are also available and provide protection against A, B, and C Class fires. K Class extinguishers should always be used in commercial kitchen settings, but ABC multipurpose extinguishers are the most common type used in homes and businesses and provide a good multi-purpose extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers come in different sizes as well:
- 10 Pound Extinguisher – Best for garage or home workshop, where a fire might grow before being noticed.
- 5 Pound Extinguisher – Best for a quick response in the kitchen or laundry room.
- 2 Pound Extinguisher – Best for a vehicle.
USE:
Knowing how to use your fire extinguisher is important. All household members – and for businesses, all employees – should be familiar with where extinguishers are stored and how to use them.
Remember the P.A.S.S. technique for use:
P – Pull the pin.
A – Aim the fire extinguisher nozzle low, towards the base of the fire.
S – Squeeze the handle lever to spray the extinguisher on the fire.
S – Sweep the nozzle from side to side to cover the fire until it is extinguished.