Fire Extinguishers In The Home

To protect your family and your home -
have a good fire extinguisher close at hand and know how to use it

In case of fire - stay calm

· Get everyone out of the building.

· Call the fire department.

· Then, if the fire is small, use appropriate extinguisher, leaving yourself an escape route.

Every home should be equipped with one or more fire extinguishers and every person in the home should know how to
use them properly.

Before you buy an extinguisher, make sure it has the ABC symbols on it. The type that suppresses all three classes is a
dry chemical multipurpose type extinguisher. The dry chemical blankets the fuel with powder and smothers the fire.

For maximum protection in kitchen and garage fires, a portable fire extinguisher that will extinguish a class A, B, and C
fire is recommended.

Class A - Fires consisting of burning wood, cloth, paper, rubbish or plastic.
Class B - Fires of burning paint, grease, oil, or gasoline.
Class C - Fires occurring in electric motors, electrical panels, and electrical wiring.


PROPER LOCATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IS IMPORTANT
Put the right extinguisher in the right places. Place them throughout the house (at least one per floor), near exits, in full
view so they can be reached quickly and easily.


PROPER MAINTENANCE IS A MUST
Check fire extinguishers regularly according to manufacture's instructions.

Joe's Note:
When useing an extinguisher, always sweep the base of the fire. By shooting into the flames you may shoot over the fire and miss what is actualy burning.

Last Updated: June 07, 1999