Fire Prevention XIII

Portable Fire Extinguishers – Do’s and Don’ts 

We have already discussed how to select the proper type of fire extinguisher in a previous safety talk, and we also covered the “PASS” method for using an extinguisher to put out a fire. However, portable fire extinguishers are not appropriate for use in all situations. And when we do use them, the risk of personal injury goes up dramatically. So here is a short list of a few things to keep in mind before, and after, attempting to put out a fire with an extinguisher: 

• Notify someone else about the fire. They can activate the fire alarm system while you attempt to extinguish the fire, and also keep an eye on you in case trouble develops.
• Make sure the fire is not too big! Portable extinguishers are intended for use on small “incipient stage” fires that have just started.
• Look for “traps” that could cause you to get injured. Flammable liquids that are spilled on the floor could catch on fire and cause the fire to spread, but they could also cause you to lose your footing and slip. And burning fires could create toxic gases that might overcome you, so avoid fighting a fire that have already produced a lot of smoke in the area.
• Make certain you always have a clear escape route. Never put yourself in a position where you may become trapped should the fire spread. Always try to keep the fire in front of you, and a clear route of escape behind you.
• Keep an eye out for flare-ups. Once the fire is supposedly extinguished, it is possible for embers to smolder for quite a while and cause the fire to reignite. Look for signs of smoke, as that is a clue that heat is present in the fire debris that could cause a flare-up.
• Always turn in extinguishers to be recharged after any use.