You check your alarms regularly and practice your emergency 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 to help ensure your home and family are prepared for the unexpected.
To practice whole home safety and help ensure your family is prepared in case of fire, follow these tips on fire extinguishers in the home:
Know how to use it
Every First Alert fire extinguisher includes instructions on proper usage, but a simple way to remember is with the acronym PASS:
• Pull the pin on the extinguisher
• Aim the nozzle low toward the base of the fire
• Squeeze the trigger
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side
Frequently repeat the acronym when practicing your family escape plan so, if a fire occurs, the response will be automatic.
Compare features
When it comes to fire extinguishers, there are a variety of types to choose from — from home and kitchen to commercial applications. When selecting a home fire extinguisher, two of the most important features are size and intended use. Select a home fire extinguisher that weighs 3 pounds or less for easy handling. For home fire extinguishers, 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. Remember, a fire extinguisher that has been discharged is no longer effective, so consider rechargeable extinguishers, which can be recharged by a certified professional if the unit is used.