Store portable fire extinguishers in an easily accessible place in the event of a fire. Make sure that the extinguishers are clearly labeled and that everyone in the home or office knows the location of the extinguishers. If you keep a portable fire extinguisher in your car, be sure to tell passengers of its location. Do not keep fire extinguishers locked up.
Hold the extinguisher upright and pull the ring pin. Never point the extinguisher in the direction of another person or yourself. The contents of the extinguisher could be extremely harmful to humans or animals.
Position yourself about 20 feet away from the fire. If you find yourself in a small space and cannot stand 20 feet away, put as much distance between yourself and the fire as possible.
Aim at the base of the fire and squeeze the lever. Move the extinguisher from side to side in a sweeping motion. As the fire dies down, you may move closer, if need be. Make sure the fire has been put out completely before leaving it untended.
Notify a local fire department once the fire is under control or if the fire becomes unmanageable. The fire department should be notified of any fire immediately, even if you think that you have the situation under control.
