Keep an Extinguisher Handy

Your dinner has suddenly caught fire. What to do? Pasadena Fire Department urges everyone to keep fire extinguishers at home and learn how to use and maintain them properly.

When choosing your model, remember that different fires – a grease fire vs. an electrical fire, for example – require completely different extinguishers. Look on the extinguisher for symbols showing the kind of fire it is meant for. There are also multi-purpose fire extinguishers, such as those labeled “B-C” and “A-B-C,” that can be used on two or more different kinds of fires.

A fire extinguisher in the hands of a trained adult can save life and property but it also requires sound judgment. Use a fire extinguisher only if:

• You’ve alerted other occupants and someone has called 9-1-1

• The fire is small and contained to a single object, such as a wastebasket

• You’re safe from the toxic smoke produced by the fire

• You’ve identified a way to escape and the fire is not between you and the escape route

• Your instincts tell you it’s safe to use an extinguisher

Call 744-7276 for class information or 744-4668 for questions about extinguishers.