Plymouth Fire Department Shares Tips For Fire Extinguishers

Press release from the City of Plymouth:

April 21, 2021

As part of its public safety education campaign, the Plymouth Fire Department shares tips and information with residents regarding fire extinguishers in the home.

Fire extinguishers can be extremely effective on small fires in a home or apartment and can make a big difference in the outcome of an emergency.

If there’s a fire, one of the most important things to consider is whether the flames seem like they can be handled with an extinguisher. If the fire seems too big or out of control, residents should not attempt to extinguish it and leave the area immediately.

Watch the video and read the information below to learn more. The video can also be viewed on YouTube.

Type of Fire Extinguishers

The most common household fire extinguisher, and most effective across a variety of situations, is the ABC extinguisher, which can be purchased at most hardware and general merchandise stores. ABC stands for the type of fires that the extinguisher can put out:

• A = Wood or paper products
• B = Flammable liquids like grease or gasoline
• C = Electrical equipment

With an ABC extinguisher, most types of residential fires are covered. Check the label on the side of the extinguisher to determine its rating.

Placement

The best locations to place fire extinguishers in the home are the kitchen, garage, work areas and near exits. Be sure extinguishers remain accessible and easy to find without having to move items out of the way.

Using an Extinguisher

Before using an extinguisher for a fire, call 911 immediately. Even if a small fire is successfully put out, the Fire Department can check to make sure no hotspots or embers remain.

When a fire extinguisher is needed, remember the acronym PASS:

• P = Pull the pin located near the handle of the extinguisher
• A = Aim at the base of the fire
• S = Squeeze the extinguisher lever
• S = Sweep the nozzle in a side-to-side motion

Again, do not attempt to use an extinguisher if the fire appears too large. Instead, leave the area immediately and call 911.

To learn more, reach out to the Plymouth Fire Department at fire@plymouthmn.gov or 763-509-5691.

This press release was produced by the City of Plymouth. The views expressed here are the author’s own.