In Case of Fire: Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers can be found any building or home. It has become part of basic safety procedures that every building should have a fire extinguisher at hand in case of fire.

But generally, the fire extinguishers are being ignored, almost to the point that they're just there at the corner for design and ordinance purposes. Fire extinguishers are not just for show. What's worse is that some people don't know how to use them.

CHOOSING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. There are many types of fire --- fire from paper, wood, or clothing, fire from gases and liquids, electrical fires, or fires from metal like magnesium and sodium. Along with these classifications, fire extinguishers are also made with the purpose of extinguishing a specific type of fire. There are fire extinguishers that can stop more than one type of fire.

Know first what kind of fire extinguisher to use. All fire extinguishers have a label that tells you what types of fires it can stop and how big a fire it can take.

5-B, C fire extinguishers can put out a five square foot grease fire or an electrical fire. It is not suited for paper fire, however. 3-A, 10-B, C are used for small paper fires, big chemical fires, and electrical fires. Notice that type C fire extinguishers don't have any number with it. This is because it can be reverted back to either a type A or type B after you've taken care of an electrical fire.

Now don't just go and buy a large extinguisher. You have to choose an extinguisher that can be used by everyone and is also the best option for your home or building. There are also fire extinguishers that contain corrosive materials and can destroy your appliances and equipment when used on them. There are also those that have concerns regarding the environment and the ozone layer. Halon, a type B, C extinguisher is being phased out because of its effect on the ozone layer. Generally, a type B, C fire extinguisher with non-corrosive chemicals is the recommended choice. Be advised, though, to clean up all the powder after a discharge. The powder can cause short circuits in electronic equipment.

KEEP IT SAFE. Place your fire extinguisher in a visible location. Make sure small children can't reach it. Don't put the extinguisher too close to potential fire locations and equipments, like stoves, vents, or radiators. Make sure that when a fire happens, you can safely reach for the extinguisher, though. It is also recommended that you put the fire extinguisher close to the exit points of your home or building. That way, if the fire gets bigger and you can no longer use the extinguisher to stop it, you can just run out to safety.

USING THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Make sure you've read the instructions and understood what to do with the extinguisher before setting it on its place inside the home or building. There'll be no time for a crash course when a fire breaks out. Try to practice using it, and have your family involved, too! Teach yourselves how to use the fire extinguisher so that when a fire breaks out, every one of you knows what to do.

Just follow the specific instructions given by the label of the fire extinguisher. If you're having trouble, ask for help from those who know.

There is actually an acronym on how to use the fire extinguisher and it's wise to remember it: PASS.

P - Pull the pin. A - Aim at the base of the fire. S - Squeeze the trigger. S - Sweep the spray back and forth

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