The fact that the fire extinguisher is one of the most useful devices today is undoubtedly true. It is imperative that every building in every country have this fire protection device on hand at all times to prevent fire accidents. There can be nothing comparable to these devices in terms of dousing fire, irrespective of whether they are caused due to electric shocks, chemicals, kitchen oils or dry waste materials. Each of the fires can be put out easily before it spirals out of control by using the right type of fire extinguishers. However, it is not enough to just have the right extinguishers handy. You should also know how to use them well during times of crisis. If you are unaware of how to use these devices effectively, here is some information that can help you along the way.

First of all, as soon as you purchase a fire extinguisher, it is recommended that you go through the user manual that comes along with it. This manual will contain all the important information regarding the extinguisher purchased and its usage. However, there are times when the terms used in this manual cannot be understood easily. If you are finding it difficult to comprehend the usage of fire extinguishers with the help of the manual, it is recommended that you take the help of professional fire fighters who can impart a quick training to help you learn the basics. They will be more than happy to oblige in your request. Ensure maximum attendance by people during this training exercise, especially if it is for an office or apartment complex.

The fire extinguisher should be kept in a place that is easily visible to everyone. It should be placed under lock and key so that small children do not access it easily. However, it should be easy to break the glass of the box easily in case of fire accidents to pull out the fire extinguishers and put it to use. It is imperative that you undergo basic training before you bring out the extinguisher to douse the fire in case of mishaps. There are times when untrained people have dropped the heavy container and caused more damage in the process of putting the fire out.

If you have learnt how to use the fire extinguisher, it is imperative that you do not panic when it is time to put it to use. Using fire extinguishers is not child's play. You should have a calm mind and send all the people to safety through the fire exit. Before you begin spraying, you have to remove a small safety pin that is fastened to the mouth of the cylindrical container with the help of a metal or plastic ring. While spraying the containing agent towards the fire, start from the base and move upwards. Do not spray blindly into the air since it will not have the desired impact. It is crucial that you aim at the base of the blaze to curtail the fire at source.