Edit Article

There is a high chance of your encountering an out-of-control fire at least once in your life, so knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is an important skill to be able to resort to. This article explains the process of using a fire extinguisher in an emergency.



  1. 1
    Call for help before attempting to extinguish a serious fire. The fire may take hold much faster than you're capable of dealing with it, and if help is on the way, it removes one less concern for you.
    • Call, or have someone else call, 911 in North America, 999 in the United Kingdom, 112 in the European Union and many other countries (or the appropriate emergency number for your country) as soon as possible. Ask for the fire service to come immediately, giving your address and a brief description of the type of fire.
    • Check that all other people are out of the house and have them remove pets as well. Check that they're all assembled at a safe meeting point. Do not allow children to attempt to use a fire extinguisher or control a fire in any respect whatsoever.
    • Realize that reacting to a fire requires a sound process of decision-making that children and some adults may not be capable of coping with their panic.[1] Prior training on correct use can alleviate some of the concern here.
  2. 2
    Check for your own safety before starting to extinguish a fire. There are some key things to check for before you start fighting a fire using a fire extinguisher:
    • Look for your exit points. Ensure that there is a clear exit for immediate escape should this become necessary. At all times, keep your mind focused on the availability of a safe retreat. If this is threatened at all, leave at once. The US National Fire Prevention Association recommends that you install fire extinguishers close to an exit point, to enable you to keep your back to the exit when you use the extinguisher; this ensures that you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled.[2]
    • Do not attempt to put out a fire where it is emitting toxic smoke; if you suspect or simply don't know if the smoke is toxic, leave it to the professionals.[1]
    • Check for structural safety of the building, in case burning walls, floors, or rafters pose a risk to your safety.
    • If you have more than one fire extinguisher, consider asking another mature and responsible person to use it in tandem with you.
    • Remember that your life is more important than property, so don't place yourself or others at risk.
  3. 3
    Assess the fire. Only a contained fire should be fought using a fire extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers are valuable for immediate use on small fires because they contain a limited amount of extinguishing material, which needs to be used properly or it will be wasted. For example, when a pan initially catches fire, it may be safe to turn off the burner, place a lid on the pan, and use an extinguisher. By the time the fire has spread, however, these actions will not be adequate, and only trained firefighters can safely extinguish such fires.
    • Make a quick commonsense assessment about the utility and safety of using a fire extinguisher for the fire you're experiencing. Obviously, a fire extinguisher is overkill for a candle but it's useless when the whole house is on fire. A fire in a wastepaper basket, however, is another suitable candidate for fire extinguisher use.
    • Use your instincts. If your instincts tell you the fire's too dangerous to tackle, trust them.[1]
  4. 4
    Check the type of extinguisher. In the USA, there are five main classes of fire extinguisher (note that the classes and nomenclature can vary from country to country): A, B, C, and the less common classes D and K. The extinguishing agent might be water, dry chemical, halon, CO2, or a special powder.
    • Note that many fire extinguishers will work on a combination of fire classes. You'll need to decide quickly on what type of fire you have and ensure that your fire extinguisher is compatible with the fire you are attempting to extinguish. An all-purpose ABC dry chemical (10lb/4.5kg) extinguisher is a safe bet for most fires, especially where you're not sure of the fire's origins.
  5. 5
    Ready the fire extinguisher. Almost all fire extinguishers have a safety pin in the handle. This pin usually looks like a plastic or metal ring, sometimes colored red, that is held in place by a plastic seal. The distinctive features will vary depending on the type of fire extinguisher you have. You must break the seal and pull the safety pin from the handle before you can use the fire extinguisher by squeezing the lever, which discharges the fire extinguishing agent.
    • It helps if you ensure that you're familiar with how your fire extinguisher works before being placed under pressure; take time to read over its instructions after you've read this article. Familiarize yourself with its special features and parts. Different extinguishers rely on different methods of use: be aware of this in advance of having to use them.
  6. 6
    Aim for the base of the fire. Shooting into the flame is a waste of the fire extinguisher, as you're not putting out the source of the flames. It's vital to stop the fire at its source, or to remove or dampen the fuel from the fire, in order to put it out. By focusing the extinguisher's spray at the base of the fire or the source, you're extinguishing the fuel.
  7. 7
    Remember the simple acronym P.A.S.S. to help you use the fire extinguisher effectively. P.A.S.S. stands for: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep, explained below the printable diagram.
    • Pull the safety pin from the handle. The pin is located at the top of the fire extinguisher. Once removed, it releases the locking mechanism, allowing you to discharge the extinguisher.
    • Aim the extinguisher nozzle or hose at the base of the fire. As explained, this removes the source or fuel of the fire. Keep yourself low.
    • Squeeze the handle or lever slowly to discharge the agent. Letting go of the handle will stop the discharge, so keep it held down.
    • Sweep side to side approximately 6in or 15 centimeter (5.9 in) over the fire until expended. The sweeping motion helps to extinguish the fire. Stand several feet or metres back from the fire: fire extinguishers are manufactured for use from a distance.
    • The fire may flare up somewhat as extinguishing begins due to the flames being pushed away from the burning material (the real target) by the agent and gust of propellant. Do not be alarmed so long as it dies back promptly.
  8. 8
    Be aware that the typical fire extinguisher will contain around 10 seconds of extinguishing power. If the extinguisher has already been discharged partially, this time will be less.
    • If the fire doesn't respond well after you've used up the fire extinguisher, remove yourself to safety quickly.
    • If the room fills with smoke, make a hasty exit.[2]
  9. 9
    Tend to the area if you have successfully put out the fire. This means not leaving it alone, as it might re-ignite without warning. If it is safe to do so, remove fuel sources and commence cleaning up. Water can be used to ensure there are no remaining sparks in materials that are safe to extinguish with water (most combustibles other than oils and other insoluble combustible liquids or places involving electricity). The fire department could help you ensure the fire is completely extinguished. If you're legally obliged to report fires to local authorities, then do so, especially if filing for an insurance claim.
  10. 10
    Purchase a new fire extinguisher immediately. The old one is now depleted and will serve no further purpose. Do not allow an empty extinguisher to be present where it could create the false impression of being a good extinguisher. A multi-purpose extinguisher is best for a home; check that it is labeled by an independent testing laboratory.[2]Some fire extinguishers can be recharged; for smaller ones, replacing may be cheaper.
    • Fire extinguishers should be wall mounted in an accessible place. Keep out of the reach of children who are not responsible enough to leave well alone.
    • It's a good idea to always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen away from sources of heat such as the stove or cooking surfaces.
    • Other good places to keep a fire extinguisher include: your car, your garage (especially if you use welding equipment or flammable products), your caravan or RV, and your boat. In each case, mount it somewhere accessible and protected from outdoor elements.
    • Ensure that everyone in the house knows where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it (provided they are old enough and responsible enough to do so).

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
electrical maintenance?
Can you help us
rate articles?
electrical maintenance
how to test a relay
Can you tell us about
different ways to open a lock
Can you tell us about
Indian cooking?
Indian cooking
how to make chicken korma
Can you tell us about
how to look expensive without being rich
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
Provide Details.
Don't say: Eat more fats.




  • Always have a household plan of escape in the event of fire, as well as working smoke alarms in place. A carbon monoxide detector can be useful also.
  • Remove fuel, oxygen or heat to eliminate the fire. If one of those 3 elements are missing. the chemical reaction to create fire cannot occur.
  • Fire extinguishers need to be regularly checked to ensure that:
    • The extinguisher is not blocked by furniture, doorways, or anything that might limit access in an emergency.
  • The US Fire Administration does not recommend the use of fire extinguishers by untrained persons.[3] While this is only a recommendation and may be unrealistic sometimes, it is often easy enough to get training from your local fire department, so make the most of this opportunity to become "trained".
  • Many local fire departments will happily demonstrate to you how to use a fire extinguisher. Call your local one to find out more. You will need to set up a time to do this. Many towns have monthly demonstrations.


  • Be aware that the powder from dry chemical extinguishers will damage some electronics. If you are purchasing extinguishers for someplace with a lot of electronics, try to avoid the the 'dry chemical' variety. Instead, use a CO2 or halon extinguisher. Don't use a wet type, it could cause electrocution and a short circuit.
  • If using a CO2 extinguisher, do not hold the horn (where the CO2 comes out), as it gets very cold.
  • Fire extinguishers use up their charge very quickly. Exercise control with your spray and try to evenly extinguish the flames.
  • Be aware that non-water based fire-extinguishers are designed to smother fire. Keep away from respiratory organs!
  • Don't use fire extinguishers if there isn't a fire, if you're not training and you're not being chased with a gun.
  • It is a criminal offence to misuse a fire extinguisher.
  • Make sure you have the proper class of fire extinguisher for the fuel. For example, it is dangerous to use a water fire extinguisher on an electrical fire or a flammable liquid fire.

Things You'll Need

  • Fire extinguisher
  • Exits for safety
  • Fire blanket - Always remember, stop, drop and roll to put out fires on your body (for added flame smothering assistance)

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Fire Emergencies | Fireworks

In other languages:


Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 337,100 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

an Author!

Write an Article