How To Use A Fire Extinguisher
Sep 8th, 2011 by admin
In the unfortunate event of a fire in your home, having an appropriate fire extinguisher and knowing how to use it is essential. There are four basic steps when it comes to properly putting out a fire.
The first step is to remove the metal pin from the handle. The pin prevents the extinguisher from accidentally being discharged. In some cases, there may be a plastic tie or cord also holding the pin in place. There is no need to cut this cord as it will easily break when you pull out the pin.
Next, the nozzle of the extinguisher should be aimed at the base of the fire. Depending on the type of extinguisher, the nozzle may come directly off of the handle or there may be an additional hose that you need to hold.
When you have the nozzle aimed correctly, you simply need to apply firm pressure and squeeze the handle. On a model with a hose, one hand should be on the hose to direct the extinguisher and the other hand should be firmly squeezing the handle.
Finally, the extinguisher should be sprayed from side to side. A sweeping motion will ensure that the majority of the fire is properly extinguished.