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Helpful
Hints For Your Home Portable Fire Extinguisher
Everyone should own at least one portable fire extinguisher. It has
been proven to save lives and property from small, as well as large
fires. Here are a few helpful tips to always remember:
| 1. |
Choose a fire extinguisher that has been independently
laboratory tested for the size and type of fire listed on the label.
There are 3 types of classes: |
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- Class A: Ordinary (combustibles such as
wood, cloth and paper)
- Class B: Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil and
oil-based paint)
- Class C: Energized electrical equipment (wiring,
machinery, fuse boxes, circuit breakers and appliances)
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*A red slash
through any of the A, B, C symbols tell you the extinguisher cannot be
used for that class of fire.
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| 2. |
Always check the number rating on the label. This tells you
what size fire it will be able to extinguish. The higher the number
the larger the fire it can put out. Be careful, the larger numbers are
also heavier. Make sure you can hold and operate the extinguisher
before you buy.
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| 3. |
Extinguishers should be installed in plain view, above the
reach of children, near an escape route and away from stoves and
heating appliances.
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| 4. |
Remember the PASS-word: |
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- Pull the pin
- Aim low
- Squeeze the lever above the
handle
- Sweep from side to side
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If you need more information about your fire extinguisher look in
your yellow pages under "fire extinguishers".
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