A fire extinguisher is a “one-way ticket” to safety, not a license to be a professional firefighter.
An experience that we never forget was when manufacturing employees emptied 10 fire extinguishers while unsuccessfully trying to extinguish a fire — BEFORE evacuating the facility and calling 911. It could have had a tragic outcome. Do your employees know your company’s policy regarding using a fire extinguisher?!
🛑 STOP! The Myths:
- “I should stay and fight the fire until the extinguisher is empty.”
- FACT:Â Your safety policy should clearly state the priority is evacuation. Employees should only use an extinguisher if the fire is small (trash can size), they have a clear exit path behind them, they are trained, and the room isn’t filling with smoke.
- “If I point the nozzle at the flames, it will go out.”
- FACT: Aiming at the flames does nothing. Training should emphasize to aim the  nozzle at the base of the fire to cut off the fuel source.
- “I can use any extinguisher on any fire.”
- FACT:Â Using a Water (Type A) extinguisher on a grease or electrical fire can cause an explosion or electrocution. Always check the label (A, B, C).
✅ INSTEAD:
- Think P.A.S.S.: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the trigger, Sweep from side to side.
- The “Exit” Strategy:Â Always keep your back to an exit. If the fire spreads or the extinguisher fails, you must be able to leave instantly.
- Monthly Visual Inspections: Ensure the extinguisher is easily accessible, the pressure gauge is in the green/operable zone, the pin and tamper seal are intact, and there are no visible signs of dents, rust, or damage. Also, yearly professional maintenance is required, and 6-year internal extinguisher maintenance.
- What about Home Fire Extinguishers? Know where yours is and make sure you can get it! AND, make sure others in the home know the location and how to use it. Inspect home extinguishers to make sure it meets the above criteria.Â
When was the last time your team actually held a fire extinguisher or practiced using one?