Cooperative Living May 2023 - 26

RISK-FREE RESIDENCE
Being Prepared
Story courtesy of Brandpoint Content
The ABCs of fire safety
H
opefully, you have smoke alarms
in your home, you check them
regularly, and you practice your
emergency escape plan with your family
- but are you overlooking an essential
component of home fire safety as you
check your spring to-do list? How about
fire extinguishers? Having fire
extinguishers can give you peace of mind
and help ensure your home and family
are prepared in the event of a fire.
" We all lead busy lives, but it's
essential that people understand how to
protect themselves from the dangers of
fire, " explains actress and advocate Eva
Longoria, who has teamed up with First
Alert as a brand ambassador to encourage
families to install proper protection,
discuss whole-home safety and develop
their own fire safety plans.
Home fires can occur anywhere, but
according to the National Fire Protection
Association, cooking is the leading cause
of home fires and fire injuries. Having
fire extinguishers in the kitchen is an
important first line of defense. Knowing
where else to place them and how to use
them can make the difference between
minor damage and a potential tragedy.
First Alert and Longoria offer these
tips you can keep in mind both in and
out ofthe kitchen as you tackle your
spring to-do list:
LEARN YOUR ABCS
Fire extinguishers have specific ratings
that indicate what kind offire(s) they are
designed to extinguish. Extinguishers
with a Class A rating can put out fires
caused by wood, paper, fabric and other
common materials, while Class B-rated
extinguishers are intended for fires fueled
by flammable liquids like cooking oils or
gasoline. Class C-rated extinguishers are
meant for fires caused by electrical
24 ● Cooperative Living ●
May 2023
Eva Longoria,
First Alert brand
ambassador
KNOW HOW TO USE IT
A simple way to remember proper use of a fire extinguisher is with the acronym PASS:
Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release
the locking mechanism. Aim low. Point the nozzle of the extinguisher at the base of
the fire. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
equipment, such as frayed cords.
For trusted reliable protection, it's
recommended to choose a multipurpose,
or ABC-rated, extinguisher,
such as the First Alert Rechargeable
Home Fire Extinguisher, which is ideal
for common household fires and can
easily be placed in the kitchen and
around the home.
EQUIP YOUR HOME
Whether you are preparing gourmet
meals or simple dishes, it is crucial to
have a fire-extinguishing device in the
kitchen. Experts recommend placing firere
extinguishers in readily accessible
locations in the kitchen and garage, and
on every level ofthe home. An easy
springDIY project is to place
extinguishers where each adult member
ofthe household can easily reach them,,
like under a kitchen sink or mounted to
a wall, and ensure members ofthe
household know these locations.
Remember that most home fires and
fire casualties result from accidents
involving cooking, heating, electrical
distribution and lighting equipment, andnd
smoking, according to the NFPA.
ASSESS THE FIRE
In the event ofa fire, it's important
to assess the situation before grabbing
your fire-extinguishing device. Fire
extinguishers should only be used when
a fire is contained. If the fire is small
enough for you to manage, use the PASS
technique to put the fire out. However, if
smoke fills the room or the fire is quickly
spreading, exit your home immediately
and call 911.
INSPECT REGULARLY
When doing routine home checks
this spring, make a point to also check
that your fire extinguishers are in good
condition. Be sure they are not blocked
by anything that could impact your
access, and ensure the devices are not
damaged, dented or rusted. Additionally,
check your extinguisher's pressure gauge.
If the pointer is in the green zone, your
extinguisher is properly pressurized and
ready for use. If the pointer is in the red
zone, your fire extinguisher should be
serviced or replaced.
Remember, a fire extinguisher that
has been discharged should never be
stored without proper recharging by a
certified professional. 
To learn more about fire safety,
visit firstalert.com.
co-opliving.com
http://www.firstalert.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living May 2023

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