Fire Safety Tips Are Only As Good As The Tools They Require.

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

North Leon County teams seek to inform and educate the community on fire safety.

When it comes to prevention, we love to offer tips.  

Still, when dealing with structure fires, nothing is more important than the right TOOL.

It is widely known that having an in-date fire extinguisher on your property is imperative to fire safety, but did you know that there are different kinds of fire extinguishers, as well as a proper way in which to use one?  Keeping yourself, your family, and your property protected in the event of a structure fire is paramount, and the below information can help facilitate that process.

The most common questions we hear is, “What are the different kinds of fire extinguishers, and what is each used for?”

 The U.S. Fire Administration defines five primary types of fire extinguishers used to put out different kinds of fires

• used for ordinary material fires, such as wood, cloth, or paper.
• for use with combustible or flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, or oil.
• for use with electrical equipment like appliances and tools.
• for use with flammable metals.
• for use with animal oils, vegetable oils, and fats in cooking appliances.

Many fire extinguishers may also be multipurpose, in that they carry multiple letter definitions and can put out a variety of material fires.

The next most common question we hear is, “What is the proper way to use a fire extinguisher?”

The U.S. Fire Administration suggests the acronym “PASS” as a means of properly discharging a fire extinguisher:

     P - Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and      release the locking mechanism.

     A - Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base      of the fire.

     S - Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

     S - Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

To keep yourself safe, it is important to use extreme caution within a fire damaged structure, and always follow the guidance of local fire authorities.  SERVPRO of North Leon County has years of experience helping customers both before and after a fire. If you have any questions, or need services, call our team today.