A fire extinguisher is one of those things that you probably own and hope you never have to use. Most of us have one in our homes and have done little more than merely say to ourselves, “Yup, got one.”
DIY Life has an interesting post about how to determine which extinguisher is right for you (there is more than one kind?) and how to use one effectively. The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) explains that using an extinguisher properly can best be remembered with the acronym “PASS,” explained as:
1. PULL… Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
2. AIM… Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire.
3. SQUEEZE… Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
4. SWEEP… Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat steps 2 to 4.
Credit: DIY Life
