Keeping Your Family Safe with Fire Extinguishers

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) more than 70 percent of all fire injuries occur as a result of fires in residential buildings - homes. In fact, every 40 minutes someone is injured in a residential building fire, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. 

Besides working smoke alarms, every household should have UL certified fire extinguishers strategically placed in rooms such as the kitchen, garage or workshop. Fire extinguishers are the second line of defense behind smoke alarms and can be the difference between a small inconvenience and a life-changing event.

Therefore, UL (Underwriters Laboratories) wants to remind consumers that a household fire extinguisher can save lives and protect property.

According to UL, an adult member of the family should use a portable fire extinguisher only when:

• The fire is contained to a small area and is not growing
• Everyone has safely exited
• The fire department has been called
• The room is not filled with smoke

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher:

• Consumers must know how an extinguisher works before it is time to use it - when there's a fire, there is no time to find the instruction booklet or study instructions printed on the extinguisher
  
• To operate a fire extinguisher, UL recommends practicing and remembering the word PASS:
  o Pull the pin, hold the extinguisher away from you and release the locking  mechanism
  o Aim low, pointing the extinguisher at the base of the fire
  o Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly
  o Sweep the nozzle from side to side

• Periodically inspect the extinguisher(s) to determine if it needs to be recharged or replaced --extinguishers need to be recharged or replaced after each use - even if the entire extinguishing agent wasn't

• Stand at least six feet away from the fire when using an extinguisher

For more fire extinguisher tips, visit UL's Fire Extinguisher Tip Sheet.