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Safe and Effective Use of Fire Extinguishers

Safe and Effective Use of Fire Extinguishers

Home fire extinguishers are a must so you can put out a small fire quickly, before it becomes a big problem.

Household fires are always a concern. They can be caused due to cooking, an electrical malfunction, or improperly discarded smoking materials. Fires can spread very fast and be absolutely devastating. Home fire extinguishers are a must so you can put out a small fire quickly, before it becomes a big problem. It is essential for you to use the proper type of fire extinguisher. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can make a fire worse. Read on to learn about the safe and effective use of your fire extinguishers!

How to Use Your Fire Extinguishers

Using a fire extinguisher is not difficult, but it is important to follow the steps very carefully to effectively extinguish a fire. 

  1. Pull the pin on the extinguisher handle to break the tamper seal
  2. Aim the nozzle, horn, or hose at the base of the fire. Avoid touching the plastic discharge horn on a carbon dioxide (CO²) fire extinguisher because the cold may will damage your skin
  3. Squeeze the handle
  4. Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it goes out. If the fire begins again, repeat these steps

Fire Extinguisher Types 

A pressurized-water fire extinguisher (Class A) can be used to put out burning paper, cloth, wood, rubber, plastics, trash, and common combustibles. A pressured water fire extinguisher has a big silver container and is around two to three feet tall. A dry chemical or Carbon Dioxide (CO²) Class B fire extinguisher can be used to extinguish fires involving oil, gas, paints, or other flammable liquids and certain energized electrical equipment. Electrical fires (Class C) can be extinguished using a CO² fire extinguisher. A CO²  fire extinguisher should never be used for Class A fires or in an enclosed space with other people. Multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguishers can be used on Class A, B, or C fires, including ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment. They are a great choice for home use. It uses a dry chemical to coat the fuel with a thin layer of powder to separate fuel from oxygen and interrupt the fire chain. Class D fire extinguishers are used to put out fires involving flammable metals not usually found in the home.

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This entry was posted on Friday, April 9th, 2021 at 4:00 pm. Both comments and pings are currently closed.