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Learn How and When To Use Your Household Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is no substitute for the fire department.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., - Oct. 4, 2005 - In the right hands, a household fire extinguisher can save lives and protect property. However, safety experts note that consumers need to know fire extinguisher limitations as well as when and how to use them.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 410,500 fires or 78 percent of all reported structure fires occurred in residential structures (includes homes hotels, dormitories, and rooming houses). October 9 - 15, National Fire Prevention Week, is an appropriate time to review your home fire safety plans, including the use of fire extinguishers.

"Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher, but you need the right type and you must know how and when to use it," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs at Underwriters Laboratories Inc (UL), a not-for-profit product safety testing organization. "Too often people are injured when trying to control a fire with a household fire extinguisher. You should use a portable fire extinguisher only when the fire is contained to a small area and is not growing; you know how to use it; everyone has safely exited; the fire department has been called; and the room is not filled with smoke."

Fire extinguishers are only one element of necessary fire safety precaution. In case of fire, always call the fire department, no matter how small the fire. Its also important to recognize when to leave the building. Every household also needs working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan.

UL's safety experts offer the following tips for selecting and using an extinguisher:

  • Select a multi-purpose extinguisher with the UL Mark that can be used on all types of home fires (wood, cloth, paper, flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease, oil-based paint, and energized electrical equipment including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers and appliances);
  • Know how the extinguisher works before you need 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, remember the word PASS:
    • Pull the pin, hold the extinguisher away from you and release the locking mechanism:
    • Aim low, pointing the extinguisher at the base of the fire;
    • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly;
    • Sweep the nozzle from side to side;
  • Stand at least six feet away from the fire and have your back to a door so you can escape easily.

"Fire extinguishers for home use are not designed to fight large or spreading fires," Drengenberg concludes. "Rather than fighting the fire, your No. 1 priority is to get out safely."

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