How To Use A Fire Extinguisher (fire extinguisher training)

Disaster Survival Skills

23 May 201602:29

Summary

TLDRCaptain Wayne Bennett emphasizes the importance of knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, a crucial skill to protect homes and families. He explains the simple steps to operate one: check the gauge, remember the PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep), and maintain a safe distance. He also provides specific advice for kitchen stove fires, cautioning against using water or flour, and suggests smothering the fire with a pan lid. For more in-depth knowledge, viewers are directed to the blog at disastersurvivalskills.com.

Takeaways

🚒 The U.S. fire department responds to a fire every 23 seconds, highlighting the prevalence of fires.
🔥 Eight people die daily in fires, most of which start in the home kitchen, emphasizing the importance of fire safety.
🧯 Captain Wayne Bennett introduces a survival tip on using a fire extinguisher, underscoring its life-saving potential.
🟢 Before using an extinguisher, check the gauge to ensure it's fully charged and ready for use.
🔠 The acronym PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) is a simple guide to using a fire extinguisher effectively.
💧 Never discharge a fire extinguisher closer than five feet to avoid boiling the burning product back onto you.
🔥 For kitchen stove fires, turn off the flame and use a pan lid to smother the fire, rather than using water or other flammable materials.
💥 Avoid using water on grease fires as it can cause a steam explosion, and never use flour to avoid a dust explosion.
🚫 Do not use a dish towel on a fire as it can add fuel to the flames.
📚 For more comprehensive information on fire extinguisher use, visit the blog at disastersurvivalskills.com.

Q & A

How frequently does a fire department respond to a fire in the U.S.?
-A fire department responds to a fire every 23 seconds in the U.S.
How many people lose their lives to fires each day in the U.S.?
-Eight people per day lose their lives to fires in the U.S.
Where do most fires start at home?
-Most fires at home start in the kitchen.
What is the acronym used to remember the steps for using a fire extinguisher?
-The acronym is PASS, which stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
What should you check before using a fire extinguisher?
-You should check the gauge and ensure the needle is in the green zone to confirm that the extinguisher is fully charged and ready for use.
At what distance should you begin discharging a fire extinguisher?
-You should start discharging a fire extinguisher when you're eight to ten feet away from the fire.
What should you do if there is a kitchen stove fire?
-First, turn off the flame. Then, grab a lid, hold it in front of you, and place it on top of the pan to smother the fire.
Why should you never use water on a grease fire?
-Water should never be used on a grease fire because it can cause a steam explosion.
What happens if you use flour on a fire?
-Using flour on a fire can cause a dust explosion.
What is the risk of using a dish towel to put out a fire?
-Using a dish towel may add fuel to the fire if it doesn’t work to extinguish it.

Outlines

00:00

🧯 Fire Extinguisher Usage Guide

Captain Wayne Bennett introduces a survival tip video on using a fire extinguisher to combat fires, particularly those starting in the kitchen. He emphasizes the importance of fire extinguishers in minimizing risks to family and property. The first step is to check the extinguisher's gauge to ensure it's fully charged. The PASS method is introduced: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side. It's advised to start discharging from a safe distance, not closer than five feet, to avoid boiling the burning product back onto oneself. Tips for kitchen stove fires include turning off the flame, using a pan lid to smother the fire, and avoiding using water, flour, or dish towels which can exacerbate the situation. For more information, viewers are directed to the blog at disastersurvivalskills.com.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Fire Department

A fire department is a public or sometimes private service that is organized for the purpose of extinguishing fires and protecting property and lives from fire. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that a fire department in the U.S. responds to a fire every 23 seconds, highlighting the frequency and urgency of their role in public safety.

💡Survival Tip

A survival tip is a piece of advice or guidance aimed at helping individuals to stay safe or live through dangerous situations. The video presents a survival tip on using a fire extinguisher, emphasizing its importance in minimizing risk to family and property during a fire.

💡Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is a portable device used to put out small fires, often in emergency situations. It is a life-saving tool that the video focuses on, teaching viewers how to use it effectively to combat fires, particularly in the home.

💡Gauge

In the context of a fire extinguisher, the gauge is an instrument that indicates the pressure and readiness of the extinguisher. The video script mentions checking the gauge to ensure the needle is in the green zone, which signifies that the extinguisher is fully charged and ready for use.

💡PASS

PASS is an acronym used as a memory aid for operating a fire extinguisher correctly. It stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. The video script uses PASS to instruct viewers on the proper steps to take when using a fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire.

💡Pull the Pin

Pulling the pin is the first step in activating a fire extinguisher. The pin is a safety mechanism that holds the extinguisher in a non-discharge state until it is pulled. The video script instructs viewers to 'Pull the pin' as part of the PASS method.

💡Aim at the Base

Aiming at the base of the fire is a technique used when using a fire extinguisher. It involves directing the extinguisher's spray at the bottom of the fire to cut off the oxygen supply and effectively put out the flames. The video emphasizes this as part of the PASS method.

💡Squeeze the Handle

Squeezing the handle is the action that releases the extinguishing agent from the fire extinguisher. The video script includes this as part of the PASS method, instructing viewers to squeeze the handle to activate the extinguisher during a fire emergency.

💡Sweep Side to Side

Sweeping side to side is the motion used when discharging a fire extinguisher to cover the burning area effectively. The video script advises viewers to sweep from side to side to ensure the fire is fully extinguished without reigniting.

💡Kitchen Stove Fires

Kitchen stove fires are a common type of household fire that can occur when cooking. The video provides specific advice on handling such fires, including turning off the stove flame and using a pan lid to smother the fire, emphasizing safety measures to prevent escalation.

💡Dish Towel

A dish towel is a cloth used for drying dishes and cleaning in the kitchen. The video script warns against using a dish towel to extinguish a fire, as it can add fuel to the fire and make the situation worse, highlighting the importance of using appropriate methods to combat fires.

💡Flour

Flour is a common ingredient used in cooking. The video script specifically mentions not to use flour on a grease fire, as it can cause a dust explosion, which would exacerbate the fire. This advice is crucial for understanding what not to do in a fire situation.

Highlights

A fire department responds to a fire every 23 seconds in the U.S.

Eight people per day lose their lives to fires, most of which start at home, primarily in the kitchen.

Captain Wayne Bennett introduces a 'one-and-done' survival tip for extinguishing fires.

The importance of fire extinguishers in minimizing risk to family and property.

The first step when using a fire extinguisher is checking the gauge to ensure it is fully charged.

The acronym PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.

Start discharging the fire extinguisher from eight to ten feet away, and never get closer than five feet.

For kitchen stove fires, the first step is to turn off the flame to the stove.

Place a lid on a burning pan to smother the fire instead of using water.

Using water on grease fires can cause a dangerous steam explosion.

Never use flour on fires, as it can cause a dust explosion.

Avoid using a dish towel to put out a fire, as it can make the fire worse.

Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher makes you more comfortable in dealing with fires.

Practical safety tips are provided specifically for kitchen fires.

For more details and safety tips, viewers are directed to visit disastersurvivalskills.com.