Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12, 2002

• If you see smoke or a fire, call 911 and start an evacuation BEFORE using an extinguisher. Don't depend on the fire extinguisher alone to put out the fire.
• You must never try to put out fires unless you have had fire extinguisher training.
• If you elect to use a fire extinguisher, always maintain a clear path to an exit.

• Portable fire extinguishers are designed to put out small fires when they first start.
• An important thing to remember about fire extinguishers is that you must use the correct type for each kind of fire:

-Class A fire - ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper and cloth
-Class B fires -flammable liquids
-Class C fires - electrical
-Class D fires - metals

• Do not use a water type extinguisher for a flammable liquid fire because it would cause the fire to spread.
• Do not use water type extinguisher on an electrical fire because this would expose you to a serious or fatal shock.
• Most commercially available extinguishers will have a tag/label indicating the type of extinguisher - know which type you have prior to fighting a fire.
• The most common extinguisher is the multi-purpose dry chemical type and will have a tag/label indicating an "ABC" type extinguisher. It can be used for the most common types of fires.

Appropriate Use of Fire Extinguishers

• You have the correct type of fire extinguisher
• The building has been evacuated and the fire department has been called.
• Fire is small and confined
• You know how to use the extinguisher
• You are confident you can put the fire out

• The fire is large and has grown beyond its original confined space
• Your escape path is threatened
• You are not sure if you have the correct type of fire extinguisher