Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers

Check your fire extinguishers for the letters ABC.  This means that your fire extinguisher can handle the following type of fire.

Class A- ordinary (paper, wood, etc.)

Class B- Grease Fires

Class C- Electrical (unplugging makes it a class A fire)

The number before the A- How many gallons needed to put out the fire.

The number before the B/C- The square foot area size of fire that the extinguisher can manage.

If your fire extinguisher is not big enough for the fire- get out! 

I learned this personally while practicing with the fire extinguishers.  My extinguisher stopped before the fire was put out.  It was a scary and helpless feeling to be so close to the fire and have my fire extinguisher not work.  Make sure that it works and that it can handle the fire!

Steps

1) Call 911

2) Decide if your extinguisher can handle the fire

3) Shake your fire extinguisher monthly

4) Check annually and possibly replace

5) Aim slightly above the base of fire.  (Especially with a grease fire, you can potentially splash the grease out and spread.  You want the retardant to fall over it.)