WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Using a portable fire extinguisher is an important safety skill. You never know when you might have to use it at work, home or on the road.

WHAT’S THE DANGER?

To extinguish small fires before they become large, extinguishers’ contents smother or cool the flames. However, not everyone knows how to use an extinguisher. If a fire broke out in your work area, you need to stop it before it spreads. You wouldn’t have time to ask your safety officer to teach you how to use equipment.

EXAMPLE
Barney’s heart pounded when he opened the back room and saw smoke and a small but growing flame. Hands shaking, he yanked a fire extinguisher off the wall. Someone had taped a note on it – “P.A.S.S.” Barney recognized the reminder, but too many months had passed since he had that safety lesson. Unable to remember the steps for using an extinguisher, he yelled for help. By the time a co-worker heard him, the room was ablaze

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

• When you notice a fire, sound the building’s alarm and call the fire department. If you don’t feel you can handle the fire, leave immediately. Get everyone out of the building. Close doors behind you to slow the flames’ spread, but don’t lock any doors. Stay between fire and exit so you don’t let the fire block your escape.
• If the fire is small enough to put out with a portable extinguisher, you can do so swiftly by telling yourself to P.A.S.S. “PASS” is an easily remembered abbreviation describing the four-step process for most fire extinguishers: Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.

PULL the pin. On some extinguishers, you release a latch or press a lever.

AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE or press the handle. Or you may have to press a button to discharge the extinguishing agent.

SWEEP from side to side, aiming at the base of the fire until the flames appear to be out. Repeat if the fire reappears.

• Don’t turn your back on a fire once you think it’s out, because it could flare up again.
• Avoid breathing smoke, fumes or extinguishing agent.
• Take care of the extinguisher and recharge it after each use.

FINAL WORD

You can put out small fires by knowing where a fire extinguisher is and how to use it. Remember to Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.