We all know about the general safety precautions to use around fires. Fire safety is taught to everyone at a young age and continues to be an important topic discussed in schools and the classroom. There are monthly fire drills mandated by school laws, and evacuation routes are practiced often. One thing that they don’t teach you in school is how to handle fire extinguishers. A fire extinguisher is a great tool to use when there is a small fire in a closed area. These extinguishers are great at stopping fires if you know how to use one. Here are a few tips on how to use a fire extinguisher in home.
Keep it Close
Before you even use the extinguisher, you need to make sure that it’s stored in a place that you can easily access. In most cases, this means keeping it in an open area, away from children, but easily accessible to adults. A high kitchen cabinet or high pantry shelves are both good options. Remember, a fire extinguisher is no good if you can’t find it when you need it most.
Read the Labels
Most extinguishers have the same instructions on them. While it’s not hard to use one, it’s always a good idea to read the instruction tabs before using it, especially if it’s your first time. A label can also tell you what that extinguisher is used for best. Some are made to tame grease fires, while others are just for regular fires.
Use Sweeping Motions
When you finally get the extinguisher going, make sure to use sweeping motions to put out the fire. Aiming at the fire directly isn’t nearly as effective as sweeping across to cover all areas that are affected. A fire extinguisher is a great tool for home fire safety, but making sure you can use it is the first step.
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