You may have thought about buying a fire extinguisher in the past, or have a small one kicking around in your kitchen somewhere in case of a cooking mishap. However, if you don’t know how to use one it might be a wasted effort and can make the fire that much more dangerous. A proper fire extinguisher is a relatively small investment that may save your much larger investments from going up in smoke if you know how to use one and under which circumstances they should be used.
A fire extinguisher is only useful if:
- You know how to use one.
- The extinguisher is in working condition and is of a proper class to deal with your fire situation.
- The fire is confined to one area and is not at risk of spreading anywhere else.
- Your whole family is not standing around and staring at you. Make sure everyone in the house is heading outside or is already there, and get someone to call the fire department just in case.
- You have a safe way of exiting the area if you choose to stay behind and fight the fire while remaining at least 8 feet away from the flames.
Types of fire extinguishers:
- Class A – for extinguishing fires involving plastic, cardboard, paper and wood. This class is one of the most common types fire extinguisher found in households or commercial buildings.
- Class B – for extinguishing fires involving flammable and combustible liquids like oil. This class is more commonly found in kitchens for fighting grease fires.
- Class C – for extinguishing fires in wiring, electrical outlets or appliances.
- Class D – for extinguishing fires involving combustible metals, most often used in a laboratory setting.
Water-based extinguishers: Only used for Class A fires and will cause serious consequences or even make the fire worse if used on grease, electrical or chemical fires.
Dry chemical-based extinguishers: These extinguishers use foam and powder instead of water and can be used on Class B, C and D fires.
Rechargeable fire extinguishers often cost around $50, are durable and can be refilled and re-pressurized after each use by a certified technician. A disposable fire extinguisher will usually cost between $10 and $30 and are good for about 10-12 years and one use only.
How to fight a fire:
- Pull, undo or press the pin or latch to release the extinguisher.
- Aim at the base of the flames when extinguishing a fire, and hold the extinguisher upright.
- Squeeze.
- Spray in a sweeping motion until the fire is out.
Reading the operator’s manual will provide you with a good idea of how to effectively use your fire extinguisher, along with maintenance tips such as looking for dents or cracks and checking the pressure periodically for optimal fire protection in your home.
