A fire emergency can put you and your property in danger. Therefore, your priority should be to get out safely before the fire grows too large. An extinguisher can be used to handle small fires. But when an emergency happens, people sometimes panic and fail to take the proper safety precautions before distinguishing a fire. It is essential to remember the following precautions to avoid such situations:
1. When you see the room filling with smoke, leave the room as soon as possible, as inhaling too much smoke can put your life at risk.
2. While the fire is still small, locate the fire extinguisher and remember PASS using the fire extinguisher.
PASS represents:
P - Pull the pin, hold the nozzle towards the fire, and release the lock pin.
A - Aim the extinguisher’s nozzle directly at the base of the fire.
S - Squeeze the lever slowly and steadily.
S - Sweep the nozzle side to side.
3. While using the fire extinguisher, make sure to keep the exit open and accessible at your back. So, in case the fire does not calm down, you can promptly escape.
4. Also, ensure that the fire department has been called and the building is evacuated before the fire grows.
5. While operating the fire extinguisher, make sure nothing is damaged like the pin or the nozzle. Regular fire extinguisher maintenance from a fire extinguisher service is essential. This way, you won’t face a problem using the fire extinguisher in an emergency.
6. Make sure to book regular inspections for fire alarm, fire sprinklers, and extinguishers by a licensed professional. Monthly checks will ensure your fire extinguisher maintenance and safety precautions are enforced. A licensed professional will ensure that nothing is damaged, and the fire extinguisher is ready to be used in an emergency.
7. Make sure to clean the fire extinguisher and shake it before using it as some extinguishers need to be shaken regularly for use.
8. Ensure to replenish the extinguisher after it has been used; otherwise, it will be useless during the next emergency.
9. If the fire extinguisher has not been used in a long time, it could need replacement as sometimes the liquid carbon dioxide can freeze up, and the extinguisher will be useless when that happens.
It is best to follow the above tips and pay attention to regular fire extinguisher maintenance by a professional fire extinguisher service.
