Fire extinguishers can do very well in protecting your home and business place from the perils of fire. They can curb small incipient flames before they become big and out of control. They help prevent extensive damage and serious injuries. But even though the benefits of these devices are countless, you have to remember that they require careful consideration prior to operation. In fact, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of fire extinguisher use so you don’t put yourself or any other person in danger. Here are the top unbreakable rules when it comes to using an extinguisher that you will often find in most fire home protection guides.
1. Make sure you have the correct type.
Extinguishers come in different types, each of which is designed to tackle a specific kind of fire. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the classes of fire and extinguishers so you would know which one to use for which type of fire. Remember, if you make the mistake of using the incorrect extinguisher, you might end up worsening the fire or causing injury to yourself or to those around you. Unless you have the correct extinguisher, don’t use it!
• Water extinguishers – Class A fires (solid organic materials like paper, wood, rubber, plastic, clothing, furnishing, and other similar items)
• Foam Extinguishers – Class B (flammable liquids like petrol, kerosene, and diesel) and Class A fires.
• Powder Extinguishers – Class C (flammable gases like butane, propane, and methane), Class B, and Class A fires.
• Wet Chemical Extinguishers – Class F or kitchen Physical Method Of Pest Management fires (cooking oils and deep fat fryers).
• CO2 Extinguishers – Electrical fires (frayed cords, overloaded Natural Lawn Pesticides sockets, and electrical equipment malfunction, and so on).
2. Have your back towards an exit.
Never fight fire unless you can have your back towards an exit. This way, if ever the fire becomes bigger and out of control, you can easily escape the area. If you think you are just going to be trapped if you fight the flames, the smart thing to do would be to leave immediately and inform the other people about the fire by shouting and making noises on your way out.
3. Don’t fight fires that are big and have gone out of control.
Extinguishers are only for small incipient fires. The fire hose is used for bigger fires. But this is best left on the hands of professional firefighters. Attempting to fight a big fire will only put you in grave danger.
4. Use the extinguisher only if you know how.
Undergoing fire safety training is the best way to learn how to use this device. Apart from that, you can simply remember the code word, “PASS.” P is for pull the safety pin, A is for aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, S is for squeeze the lever gently, and S is for sweep from side to side to extinguish completely. If you are not confident with your firefighting skills, then just escape the area as fast as you can.
Extinguishers can be your best friend. But you should know the unbreakable rules that revolve around the proper usage of this device so it work well to your advantage.
Home