FIRE EXTINGUISHER USAGE

Having a fire extinguisher mounted on your wall is a great first step toward child safety from fire.  But a hand-held fire extinguisher is only as good as its user.  To control a fire and protect your family, learn how to select, use and maintain a fire extinguisher.

There are fire extinguishers made for electrical, flammable liquids (like a grease fire), and common combustibles such as paper.  Instead of having three extinguishing units around, an easier and safer way to do it is to buy an extinguisher that will effectively address all three types of fires.  There needs to be enough extinguishing agent to do the job, and you want it certified by a credible laboratory.  So, when you buy an extinguisher, select a 10-pound, U.L.-listed (Underwriter’s Laboratories), ABC-rated fire extinguisher.  This means you have a dependable extinguisher filled with 10 pounds of extinguishing agent designed to put out all three types of fires.  Be sure the pressure gauge at the top of the unit reads “full.”

Once you get it home, mount the fire extinguisher on the wall using its mounting bracket or place it in a cabinet out of reach of kids but known to all adults and older children.  The extinguisher should remain dry to avoid corrosion, and shouldn’t be subjected to physical abuse.  Glance at the unit once in a while, preferably monthly, to ensure that the bottle hasn’t lost pressure.  This helps to ensure that the extinguisher performs as you expect it to in an emergency.

Speaking of making it perform, here are a few tips to remember.  First, grasp the fire extinguisher, pull the pin by the ring, and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.  Aim at the base of the flames coming off of that pan of blazing grease on your stove.  Squeeze the lever to the side of the bottle and sweep the extinguisher from one side of the fire to the other.  Use short bursts to avoid using the entire bottle all at once.  Remember, the entire extinguisher can be emptied in seconds if the lever is held down continuously.

 To ensure that your extinguisher continues to be ready to function, have it serviced annually by a licensed fire extinguisher firm.  They’re easily found on line or in the yellow pages.  Such a firm will hydrostatically test the bottle to ensure it is sound under pressure.  They will also empty out the old powder and refill with new extinguishing agent.  When you take your extinguisher to be tested, take the unit outside or to their shop, pull the pin and squeeze the lever down until there is no more white powder coming from the nozzle.  This will show you, in a matter of seconds, how fast a unit can be emptied.  While your extinguisher is being refilled, have some baking soda at the ready until your fire extinguisher returns from the shop.  Lastly, explain to all family members over 10 years of age how the extinguisher works.

 In short, select a U.L.-listed, 10lb, ABC-rated fire extinguisher.  Store it properly and train the family how to use it.  Then, have it serviced annually to ensure proper performance.

 While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information presented here is correct, contents and any links are not warranted for accuracy or any other implied or explicit purposes, and are for information only.  Medical or other suitable professionals should be contacted when appropriate.