How Big Is Your Fire Extinguisher!

September 23, 2009 on 1:04 pm | In Home Safety Tips and Topics, The Heart of Your Home | No Comments

Ever wonder how powerful a fire extinguisher really is? Here are a few guidelines to follow and think about before reacting in a hot situation.
1. If you can’t blow it out, call the fire department!
2. If you can move the fire to an open area with a broom or long stick do so.
3. Never block your path way out from a fire.
4. If you smell a sign of smoke before exiting a room touch the door. If the door feels warm that could mean the fire is close on the other side. Never expose air to a fire that only creates a bigger flame.
5. Never trap a fire. When using a fire extinguisher; spray away from walls and corners. By not doing so you can create a higher flame by trapping the fire.
6. The 5 pound extinguisher’s life span, brand new is 13 to 15 seconds of spraying time. Life span is approximately 6 years. As time goes on the extinguisher ages as well. In an old extinguisher you have approximately 13 seconds. If you spray and miss the fire you lose 2 seconds, and if you experience low pressure you’re losing 3 seconds. In actuality there is only 8 seconds of full pressure usage.
7. The 3 pound extinguisher new is good for 8 to 12 seconds. An old extinguisher drops down to 8 seconds. Again if you spray and miss the fire you have lost 2 more seconds. Then of course low pressure equals a loss of 3 seconds. The total full pressure usage time is 3 seconds.
WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE, AND NOT A GOOD THING!
The most important thing to remember is to get out. Make sure to make a plan with your family. Even if you have teenagers make sure that they know where to go or what options they have.