What comes to mind when you hear the term “kitchen essentials”? Understandably, a fire extinguisher seems like an odd choice compared to a chopping board, can opener and cooking pots.
Unattended candles, cooking accidents and uncertified electricity are among the top causes of house fires in South Africa. Even something as small as a stovetop fire can quickly transform into a blazing inferno, leading to millions of rands’ worth of damage and even the loss of life.
It’s scary to think about; fortunately, it is preventable, especially if you have a fire extinguisher on standby.
HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER
According to Absolute Health Services, you first need to break the fire extinguisher’s safety seal before pulling the safety pin out. Then, aim the extinguisher’s nozzle at the base of the fire, as this is where the flames originate from.
To discharge the contents of the extinguisher, squeeze the handle. You will need to sweep the nozzle from side to side, keeping it aimed at the base of the fire until it’s out.
It’s important to note that there are different classes of fire extinguishers. Each class is designed differently to combat various kinds of fire. For example, wet chemical fire extinguishers contain an alkaline solution, which is ideal for putting out Class F fires that arise from cooking oils and fats.
If you’re unsure about what fire extinguisher to get, speak to a consultant who specialises in fire safety or contact a certified fire safety equipment service.
LOCATION IS KEY WHEN A FIRE BREAKS OUT
When a fire breaks out, you have mere seconds to act. Hence, you need to place the fire extinguisher in a location that’s easy to access and in proximity to the fire.
Given that cooking accidents are a common cause of house fires, you should ideally have an extinguisher visibly mounted near the kitchen entranceway. At the very least, they need to be in proximity to your stove or oven.
However, you should avoid keeping an extinguisher in cupboards or high-to-reach places, as this can delay you from putting out the fire sooner. Similarly, placing it in areas of high humidity can cause it to deteriorate, rendering it unusable.
A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IS PARAMOUNT, AND SO IS YOUR SAFETY
Keeping a fire extinguisher at home goes a long way in containing a fire. Nevertheless, the safety of you and the members of your household comes first, especially if the fire gets out of control.
If you’re unable to put out the flames or the extinguisher runs empty, do the following:
- Evacuate the premises immediately.
- Call the fire and rescue service. Keep their emergency number displayed near your landline or saved on your phone.
- Call an ambulance service if someone has suffered a burn or has inhaled too much smoke.
Again, speak to a consultant or certified equipment service, as they can advise you about the appropriate tools you need to prevent or put out fires, such as an extinguisher or a smoke alarm. They can also advise you on how to maintain this equipment.
Be sure to regularly practise fire drills with the occupants in your home. This instils a sense of calm and enhances your readiness in the event of an actual fire.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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