Following a major disaster, fire fighters and emergency services will be completely overwhelmed. Knowing how to and correctly using a fire extinguisher before a fire gets too big could prevent a total loss of your home. This is true for any fire, not just those caused by disasters.
Most all fires are relatively small at first and can be easily contained if the correct type of fire extinguisher available and used properly. Having the correct extinguisher is important so that it can best suited for the expected type of fire.
Fire extinguishers are categorized by to the type of fire in which they are able to put out. The four basic types are A, B, and C
* Class A: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth and most plastics. These should be the most common in your household. Used in your kitchen.
* Class B: Flammable liquids and gases such as gasoline, oils, paint, lacquers and greases. These will be used in your garage, where there are flammable liquids and oils.
* Class C: Energized electrical equipment where nonconductivity of the extinguishing agent is important. These should be around any electronic place such as the entertainment center or computer room.
Make sure to have a class A fire extinguisher in your kitchen. The kitchen is the most common starting place for all household fires because of all of the heating elements.
Familiarize yourself with the locations of the different extinguishers. It is also a good idea to inform your family about the extinguishers and how they work. If you are the only one who knows how to work them, it is likely that you might not be there.
When using a fire extinguisher follow the directions on the bottle and remember these steps:
* Pull the pin
* Aim at the base of the fire
* Squeeze the handle
* Sweep the fire
Even if you use your fire extinguisher to put out the fire, it is still recommended that you call the fire department and evacuate the area. They will check to make sure that the fire is completely out.
Malcolm Felt - Professional writer specializing in emergency and disaster preparedness. For more information visit www.lifeprepared.com Emergency kits Home survival kit
