Fire away: Enhancing your home ' s safety with fire extinguishers
You check your alarms regularly and practice your family escape plan- but are you overlooking an essential component of home safety? Having fire extinguishers and knowing how to use them is an important part of maintaining a safe home for you and your family.
" In America, a fire starts in a residential home every 86 seconds and the rapid protection offered by fire extinguishers can make the difference between minor or insignificant damage and greater tragedy," said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert, the most trusted brand in home safety. " However, because many Americans have never activated a traditional fire extinguisher before, many do not understand the essential role that fire extinguishers play in a home safety plan, and lack the confidence and know-how to use them properly."
Follow these tips on fire extinguisher placement and usage to help ensure you and your family are properly prepared in case of emergency:
Compare features: Two of the most important features in �re extinguishers are size and intended use. Larger commercial �re extinguishers meant for public spaces may be too heavy or unwieldy for some family members. Select a home �re extinguisher that weighs 3 pounds or less. Other features to look for include a metal valve and trigger, which offer the durability of a commercial-grade extinguisher, as well as an easy-to-read color-coded gauge for accurate measurement. Spray times vary by make and manufacturer, so select extinguishers that perform above the standard and feature longer spray times. Remember, a �re extinguisher that has been discharged is no longer effective, so consider rechargeable extinguishers that can be recharged by a certi�ed professional if the unit is used.
Keep it in reach: When seconds count, having an extinguisher nearby is crucial for rapid response. For this reason, place an extinguisher in each area of the home where a �re could potentially occur, including the kitchen, living room, each bedroom and the garage. In most cases, one extinguisher is likely not enough protection for an entire household. In addition, make sure that every responsible member of your household( including house sitters and babysitters) knows where each �re extinguisher is placed. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing �re extinguishers close to room exits so that you can discharge it and quickly escape if the �re cannot be controlled.
Know your ABCs: While they may all look similar, �re extinguishers have very speci�c ratings that indicate what kind of �re they are designed to extinguish. Extinguishers with a Class A rating can put out �res caused by wood, paper, trash and other common materials, while Class B rated extinguishers are intended for gasoline and �ammable liquids. Class C rated extinguishers are meant for �res caused by electrical equipment, such as frayed cords. For general protection, it ' s best to select a multirated extinguisher, such as the First Alert Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher, that ' s capable of handling most types of household �res.
Know how to use it: A simple way to remember proper usage ins uctions is with the acronym PASS:
* Pull the pin on the extinguisher * Aim the nozzle low toward the base of the �re * Squeeze the trigger * Sweep the nozzle from side to side Frequently repeat the acronym when practicing your family escape plan so that if a �re occurs, the response will be automatic.
Know when to go: Combating small �res with an extinguisher is one component of a �re response plan, but the primary goal should be safe escape. The �rst step in any scenario should be to call 911. In addition, a �re extinguisher is no substitute for having- and regularly practicing- a home �re escape plan, and ensuring that proper functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed throughout the home to provide early detection. Keep in mind that alarms and �re extinguishers aren ' t designed to last forever, and must be replaced at least every 10 years.
Glamaour ERA