Fires can be very dangerous and you should always be certain that you will not endanger yourself or others when attempting to put out a fire.
For this reason, when a fire is discovered…
Assist any person in immediate danger to safety, if it can be accomplished without risk to yourself.
- Call 911. The fire alarm will notify the fire department and other building occupants and shut off the air handling system to prevent the spread of smoke.
- If the fire is small (and Only after having done these 2 things), you may attempt to use an extinguisher to put it out.
However, before deciding to fight the fire, keep these things in mind:
- Know what is burning. If you don't know what's burning, you won't know what kind of extinguisher to use.
- Even if you have an ABC fire extinguisher, there may be something in the fire that is going to explode or produce toxic fumes.
- Chances are you will know what's burning, or at least have a pretty good idea, but if you don't, let the fire department handle it.
- Is the fire spreading rapidly beyond the point where it started? The time to use an extinguisher is at the beginning stages of the fire.
- If the fire is already spreading quickly, it is best to simply evacuate the building.
- As you evacuate a building, close doors and windows behind you as you leave. This will help to slow the spread of smoke and fire.