Foremost Insurance Group | Foremost Insurance Wants You to Get Familiar with Fire Extinguishers

Grand Rapids, MI – Small fires can damage your home, your personal belongings and injure your loved ones if given the chance to grow larger. Having fire extinguishers available in your home can reduce the amount of damage from fires if you know how to properly use them. Foremost encourages you and your family to be prepared and follow these fire extinguisher tips to help keep everyone safe in the event of a fire.

Choose a Fire Extinguisher Class

Different types of fires require different types of extinguishers and it’s important to determine the proper one to use in each situation. Here are six basic types of extinguishers and what they are used for:

Class A – Ordinary combustible materials such as cloth, wood, rubber, paper and many plastics.
Class B – Flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints.
Class C – Electrical or plugged in appliances, tools, or other equipment.
Class D - Flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. These are typically found only in factories working with these metals.
Class K - Vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances generally found in restaurants, cafeterias and caterers.
Multi-Purpose – Combination extinguishers good for Class A, B and C fires.

Follow the Instructions

All members of your family should be officially trained on how to use a fire extinguisher properly. Contact your local fire department for training available in your area. Always read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher beforehand and become familiar with it. Remember, when using a fire extinguisher, most only last for about 10 seconds when fully charged, so be sure you aim well.

Pull the pin. This allows you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire. You want to hit the fuel source. Aiming at the flames will not put the fire out.
Squeeze the handle or lever. This releases the extinguishing agent.
Sweep from side to side. Start from a safe distance away and move slowly towards the fire. Once the fire is completely out, watch the area for several minutes since fires can re-ignite.

Maintenance

Check fire extinguishers regularly to be sure:

The extinguisher is not blocked by furniture or anything that might prevent you from getting to it in an emergency.
The pressure is at the recommended level. Some have gauges to indicate if the pressure is too high or too low.
All parts are operable and there are no signs of damage on the extinguisher.
Hoses and nozzles are free of debris.
The outside of the extinguisher is clean.
If the owner’s manual or manufacturer recommends you:

Shake dry chemical extinguishers to prevent the powder from settling or packing.
Pressure test the extinguisher to see if it is safe to use (called hydrostatic testing).

If you need to replace an extinguisher that should be recharged or is damaged in any way.

For more ways to prevent a fire or keep your family safe, visit the Foremost Insurance interactive fire safety page at www.Foremost.com/safety/home-safety/interactive-fire-safety.

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