Every home has to have a lightweight fire extinguisher. But unless you know how and when to use it, you will be in trouble during an emergency. Extinguishers are designed to put out small, contained fires. Anything bigger is a job for the fire department.
Fire-extinguisher basics:
Choosing the right fire extinguisher requires reading labels and considering the following:
– Class. Extinguishers are classified for different types of fires: A for basic fires (wood, cloth, and trash); B for kitchen and garage fires (gasoline, oil, grease, and painting supplies); and C for electrical fires (wiring and appliances). Using the wrong extinguisher can be very dangerous. A multipurpose ABC extinguisher is best for use in the home.
– Size. An extinguisher should be easy to handle. Small, 2.25-kilogram (5-pound) models are sufficient for most needs. A smaller ABC model should have a rating of at least 2-A:10-B:C. (The higher the numbers, the more chemicals the extinguisher contains and the better chance you’ll have of putting out a fire.) A larger model should have a rating of at least 3-A:40-B:C. Smaller models empty in 10 seconds; larger ones, in 25 seconds.
– Contents. Most models contain ammonium phosphate, a dry chemical which is hard to clean up and can ruin electronic devices, such as computers. Kitchen extinguishers often contain sodium bicarbonate for fighting grease fires. (Note that an extinguisher isn’t always the best way to put out a grease fire.) Some models are rechargeable, but disposable types are lighter and less expensive.
Being ready for a fire:
Install the extinguishers correctly in your home. Put one fire extinguisher in the kitchen and at least one on every floor, including the basement. (The rule of thumb is to have enough extinguishers so that you don’t have to travel more than 12 meters/40 feet to get one.) All should be mounted out of the reach of small children, near an escape route, and far from any heat sources.
Every month, check the pressure gauges and recharge or replace extinguishers if their pressure has dropped. (Nonrechargeable fire extinguishers should not be kept longer than 12 years.) Remember that an adequate home fire-safety system does not rely on fire extinguishers alone – it also includes operational smoke detectors and planned escape routes familiar to all family members.
How to use an extinguisher correctly:
Every adult in your home should know how to use each fire extinguisher. In an emergency, there is no time to read instructions. The PASS method makes them easy to remember:
– Pull the safety pin and stand 1.8 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) from the flame.
– Aim low, at the base of the fire.
– Squeeze the handle or lever.
– Sweep the extinguisher from side to side in order to blanket the fire. Most important: Never turn your back on a fire, even if it seems to be out. It can flare up again.
The overall rule is simple: Don’t wait until a fire starts to learn how to use a fire extinguisher.