Big Fires Start Small

Many people have been severely burned by trying to fight a fire without an extinguisher. Having an extinguisher nearby and knowing how to use it gives you a safe option and a fighting chance to keep a small fire from becoming one that destroys your home.

Don't Forget to Call!

Send someone to call the fire department immediately, even if you have put the fire out. Your firefighters can check to make sure the fire hasn't spread into the attic or other parts of your home. They can also clear the smoke from your home and identify the cause of the fire for you.

Know When to Quit

Fires grow quickly and can flashover to engulf an entire room without warning. Extinguishers are meant for small fires. If you're not immediately successful in extinguishing the fire, get out and stay out.

Purchasing Fire Extinguishers

There are many types of fire extinguishers. A good extinguisher for the home is a multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher containing Monoammonium Phosphate and having a 2-A:10-B:C classification.

Fire Extinguisher Placement

Locate your fire extinguishers where they can be seen, near paths of egress and away from areas that are likely to cause fire such as cooking and heating appliances. Mount your fire extinguishers on wall brackets no more than five feet above the floor. Keep travel distances to extinguishers under 75 feet, more than one extinguisher may be necessary.

Using Your Extinguisher, The P.A.S.S. Method

• P is for PULL, pull the safety pin from the extinguisher handle. The safety pin prevents accidental discharge and should be kept in place when the extinguisher is in storage.
• A is for AIM, aim the extinguisher hose at the base of the flames. Stand back from the fire a distance of 8 feet. Approaching closer puts you in danger and could increase the size of a grease or flammable liquid fire.
• S is for SQUEEZE, squeeze or press the handle of the extinguisher.
• S is for SWEEP, sweep the extinguisher hose from side to side at the base of the flames until the fire goes out.

Click here to learn more about how to use a fire extinguisher. (Interactive)

After The Fire Is Out

It is best to leave the building and wait for the fire department to arrive. Both the smoke from the fire and the extinguishing agent can be irritating to breathe.

Inspection

Inspect your extinguishers regularly. Check that the pressure gauge shows a full charge and check that the safety pin is secured in place. Make these checks a part of your home fire safety inspection.

For more information on Fire Extinguishers - Visit the National Fire Protection Association Webpage.