How To Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher

7/18/2018 (Permalink)

Having a portable fire extinguisher at your home in Fort Myers, FL is an excellent safety precaution. Hopefully, you never need to use it. But if you do, reading the instructions during a kitchen fire is not the best time to learn. Know how to use this device ahead of time to put the flames out quickly and reduce the fire damage to your home. The acronym PASS spells out the four steps to remember when using this equipment:

1. Pull out the safety pin. The fire extinguisher will not function with the handle pin in place. For safety, pull the pin and stand back from the fire about 8-10 feet before moving on to the next step.

2. Aim down at the fire’s base. Point the hose at the bottom of the flames where the fire originates, not at the flames. Use the largest extinguisher you can handle with ease, as you will need to hold the base with one hand and aim with the other.

3. Squeeze the trigger on the handle. Slowly squeeze the handle to release the fire dampening agent from the container.

4. Sweep the nozzle from side to side. Continue to aim at the fire’s base and move the device from side to side until the fire is out or the container is empty. Once the fire is out, make sure there are no small flames left to reignite.

When armed with the above knowledge, you are prepared to efficiently use a fire extinguisher in an emergency. If a fire starts at your home in Fort Myers, FL use the device only when the fire is small or in the early stages. Before dousing the flames, quickly ensure that you have a safe exit out of the house and never turn your back on the fire. If you have any doubt about your safety, immediately leave the house and call 911. Whether you or the fire department put out the flames, you will likely be left with fire and water damage. Contact a fire and water restoration specialist for guidance on repairing your home. Visit http://www.SERVPROcentralftmyers.com for more information on fire damage.