Pulling the Pin on an Extinguisher and Keeping Yourself Safe During a Fire

Fires can happen anywhere at any time, so it's important to understand how to keep yourself, your home and your workplace safe. When a fire happens, every second counts. Fires can spread rapidly and very quickly become a danger to people and property. One key part of responding to a fire can be using a fire extinguisher to put it out. While it may not always make sense to use a fire extinguisher, if you can, doing so can bring the fire to a quick end.

Should You Use a Fire Extinguisher?

Before you reach for a fire extinguisher, consider these questions:

• Have you already alerted both the fire department and everyone else in the building that there's a fire?
• Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher, and are you physically able to do so?
• Is the fire small enough to put out yourself?
• Can you safely put out the fire without choking on toxic fumes or smoke?
• Do you have a clear path to escape if you can't put out the fire?

If you can answer "yes" to all of these questions, it's worth grabbing the fire extinguisher. If not, evacuate and let the fire department handle it.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: The PASS Method

When you need to use a fire extinguisher, the acronym "PASS" can help you remember what to do. It stands for "pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep." Following these four steps can help you to put out the fire.

1. Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher.
2. Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, where the burning material is.
3. Squeeze the handle to begin spraying the extinguisher.
4. Sweep the nozzle from side to side, moving closer as the flames go out.

Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area, just in case it reignites.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Fire extinguishers can be an essential safety device, but they're only useful if they're in good working order. Inspect and maintain your fire extinguishers regularly so that they're ready when you need them.

• Make sure that extinguishers are placed where they're easy to reach in an emergency.
• Check the pressure gauge to make sure that it still has enough pressure.
• Look it over for signs of corrosion or other damage.
• Clean the outside of the extinguisher so it's free of dust or oil that could make it hard to grab quickly.

Additional Fire Safety Resources

• Fire Safety Awareness: Review common precautions you should take to keep your family safe if there's a fire.
• Fire Safety Checklist for Homeowners and Renters: Go through this list to make sure that your home or apartment is equipped for fire safety.
• Practice Your Home Fire Escape Plan: Every family should have a plan for getting out of their home if there's a fire.
• Home Fire Checklist: Being prepared is key to being able to keep yourself safe if a fire breaks out at your home.
• Fire Safety Checklist: Checking off every item in this list can help you to ensure a safer living environment.
• Tips for Preventing and Responding to Fires at Home: Understanding the dangers of a fire in your home is the first step toward keeping your family safe.
• Fire Safety: Protecting Your Family From a Home Fire: Follow these steps to help keep your protect your family from a fire.
• Ten Tips for Keeping Children Safe in a Home Fire: Make sure to teach kids what they can do to prevent fires and what they should do if a fire breaks out.
• Teaching Kids About Fire Safety: Children should know how to evacuate safely in a fire, including how to open windows and how to check doors for heat.
• Actions You Can Take to Keep Your Family Safe From Home Fires: It only takes three simple steps to help your family be prepared for a fire.
• Fire Safety Basics: Remember the acronym "RACE" in a fire: rescue, alarm, confine, and extinguish or evacuate.
• Dangers of Fire: Fires can spread very quickly, filling a room in seconds and making the air hard to see through and dangerous to breathe.
• Fire Safety Do's and Don'ts: Take the right steps during a fire and know what to avoid doing.
• How to Create a Family Fire Safety Plan: Planning to keep your family safe from fire starts with drawing up an escape plan that includes two ways out of every room.
• Family Fire Safety at Home: Candles and cooking are two common things that can cause a home fire.
• Sesame Street Fire Safety Program: Color and Learn: Go through this booklet with your kids to help them learn about fire safety.
• What to Do in a Fire: Share this easy-to-follow fire safety guide with your kids.
• Home Fire Safety Checklist for Families: As soon as you move into a new home, you need to take stock of its fire safety equipment and make a plan for what you'll do if there's a fire.
• Fire Prevention and Safety: Learn about different things around the home that can cause fires and how you can prevent them.
• Residential Fire Prevention and Safety Guide: Read facts about the dangers that a fire can pose, statistics about the damage that fires cause, and tips for keeping a fire from happening.
• Fire Extinguisher Use: Fires can happen anywhere, including at work, which is why employers should also make sure that employees understand how to pull the pin and use a fire extinguisher.
• Seven Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire: Follow these tips from the Red Cross to keep your family safe.
• Create a Fire Escape Plan Today: Making and practicing your fire escape plan can help you make sure that everyone gets out safely if a fire happens.
• Fire Safety Tips for Home and Family: When you're building, remodeling, or furnishing a home, always keep fire safety in mind.
• Home Fire Drills: Fire drills aren't only for students at school. Having fire drills at home is an important part of fire safety.
• Family Fire Safety: A Five-Step Guide for Parents: Parents should work to keep their home safe from fire and teach their kids how to do the same from a young age.