Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is a vital, hand-held active fire protection device, designed for emergency use to control small, incipient fires. It consists of a cylindrical pressure vessel containing an extinguishing agent that can be discharged to cool, smother, or separate the fire's elements.

To operate, remember the PASS technique: Pull the safety pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep the nozzle side to side. Crucially, extinguishers are classified by type (A, B, C, D, or K) to combat different fire materials like wood, grease, or electrical equipment. Using the wrong type can be ineffective or dangerous. Regular inspections are essential to ensure this first line of defense is always pressurized, accessible, and ready for use in a crisis.