Common Mistakes People Make With Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are extremely important for the safety and maintenance of homes, offices, and other public places. They are a quick and effective way to respond to fire and save lives and property. It is easy equipment, but people still make common mistakes that lead to inconvenience at the last moment. These inconveniences could cause unnecessary complications, severe injuries, or even worsening of fire.

According to a report, one home structure fire is reported in every 93 seconds. So, everyone should know how to use a fire extinguisher and maintain their fire extinguishers to avoid making any mistakes. This article will summarize all the common mistakes people make while using a fire extinguisher.

Common Mistakes with Fire Extinguisher

Sometimes, even a minor mistake while handling a fire extinguisher can lead to big problems. Certain missteps can be very dangerous and cause harm to human lives as well as property. Here are some of the common mistakes that people make with a fire extinguisher:

Ignorance in Maintenance

People commonly ignore fire extinguisher maintenance and inspections, which is a significant mistake. They need to be functionally active and effective in times of an emergency.

Maintenance ensures that they are ready to use at any time of emergency. During inspections, visible signs, for instance, specks of dust, rust, or leaks, should be checked and fixed instantly. The maintenance services are important to check and replace the old parts and recharge the extinguisher if needed.

Lack of Knowledge

Lack of knowledge about a fire extinguisher is also a common problem that people make and cause damage in the end. People usually assume they know all techniques to use a fire extinguisher. However, to make effective use of a fire extinguisher, make sure to understand the PASS method, which is:

• Pull the pin
• Aim at the base
• Squeeze the handle
• Sweep from side to side

Following and practicing this PASS method can help you use fire extinguishers better and more effectively.

Wrong Extinguisher

This is a mistake; people don't even realize it. They assume that all fire extinguishers are of the same kind and size. However, this isn't correct knowledge. There are different kinds of fire-extinguishing agents that have different purposes. Using the wrong kind can put your fire safety in jeopardy.

Final Thoughts

Fire extinguishers should be in every house, office, and other property to control any fire emergency immediately. It helps in saving the lives of people and protecting property from damage. But a simple or minor mistake and lead to further damage.

We hope that this article will provide you with enough information about all the common mistakes that people make with a fire extinguisher and you will avoid them in the future. Contact Connected Fire for further assistance.