Knowing how, when to use fire extinguishers saves lives Published March 13, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Susan Moreno 11th Wing Public Affairs BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- Homes across the country are ravaged by fire each year. The U.S. Fire Administration reported that in 2006, 16,400 individuals were injured by fire and 3,245 were killed. Overall, 81 percent of these deaths occurred in residential settings, most often caused by cooking, heating, electrical and smoking materials. Having the proper fire extinguisher on hand should be included in a home fire safety plan. A fire extinguisher is most effective when putting out a fire early on before it gets out of hand, usually within the first two minutes after it starts. "It's recommended that people keep at least one extinguisher by the kitchen and one near where they sleep," said John Alfieri, Naval District of Washington fire inspector. A portable fire extinguisher should be used when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, as long as the fire is not spreading and the room is not filled with smoke. A building should be completely evacuated and the fire department should be notified immediately. To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS (pull, aim, squeeze and sweep). First, pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism. Next, aim low, pointing the extinguisher at the base of the fire. Then, squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. Finally, sweep the nozzle from side to side from several feet away, being sure to cover the entire area. "If a fire breaks out, the occupants should leave the home and call the fire department. If they want to try and extinguish, they can, but we do not recommend it," Mr. Alfieri said. "Get out, and call for help. Even if you think the fire is out, it may be in the walls. Let the fire department check it out." For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher. Fire extinguishers should be large enough to put out a small fire but not too heavy to handle comfortably. Class A extinguishers may be used on ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, cardboard and most plastics, while a class B extinguisher is for putting out fires caused by flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. Class C extinguishers are for putting out fires caused by electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. A class ABC fire extinguisher may be used on all these types of fires. However, using the wrong type of extinguisher on a fire puts lives in danger and can make the fire worse. The label on the extinguisher will indicate its rating. "A fire extinguisher needs to be fully charged to be effective," said Mr. Alfieri. "Most home extinguishers are not rechargeable. Once they've been used they need to be replaced." "Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out," Mr. Alfieri said. "The best time to learn about the first line of defense in the event of a home fire is now, not after it becomes an emergency." Install fire extinguishers close to an exit. When fighting a fire, a clear exit should always be visible to make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately. Most importantly, if a fire gets out of control, know when to go, Mr. Alfieri said. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element of surviving a fire is a safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms. For more information about fire extinguishers or fire safety training, call the Naval District Washington Fire/EMS Department Fire Prevention Division at (202) 685-0207/0208. The Naval District of Washington contributed to this story.