Extinguishing a Fire: 6 Methods

1. 1

   Determine whether a fire extinguisher is necessary. Certain types of fires are not suitable for extinguishers. If the fire is out of control, do not use a fire extinguisher and call the fire department for assistance.

2. 2

   Determine the best type of fire extinguisher for the situation. Depending on the nature of the fire, different extinguishing agents may be required to put it out.

   • Trash, wood, and paper fires can all be extinguished with Class A fire extinguishers.
   • For flammable liquids such as oil or grease, Class B fire extinguishers can be used.
   • Electrical fires can be extinguished with Class C fire extinguishers.
   • For fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium or sodium, Class D fire extinguishers can be used.
   • Cooking fires can be extinguished with Class K fire extinguishers.
   • The majority of fire extinguishers on the market are rated for class A, B, and C fires.

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3. 3

   Pull the fire extinguisher's pin. Removing the pin allows the fire extinguisher's material to be discharged.

4. 4

   Aim for the fire's hearth. Point the hose or spray of the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.

5. 5

   Squeeze the fire extinguisher's lever. This will cause the contents of the fire extinguisher to be discharged onto the fire.

6. 6

   Sweep the hose from one side to the other. Repeat until the fire has been extinguished.

7. 7

   Call the fire department. If the fire is not successfully extinguished within a few seconds of being extinguished with a fire extinguisher, it is too large to manage. Call the fire department and leave the area. Even if you successfully extinguish the fire, the fire department can assist you in managing hotspots that may rekindle the fire.

8. 8

   When you're finished, refill or dispose of your fire extinguisher. You will need to refill the fire extinguisher after successfully extinguishing the fire. If the fire extinguisher cannot be refilled, empty the remaining contents outside and discard it. Replace it as soon as possible with a new extinguisher.

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1. 1

   Determine whether a fire blanket is necessary. Certain types of fires are not suitable for use with a fire blanket. If the fire is out of control, do not use a fire blanket and call the fire department for assistance.

2. 2

   Place the fire blanket on top of the fire. Place the fire blanket on top of the fire after removing it from its pouch. If a person's clothes catch fire, instruct them to stop, drop, and roll.

3. 3

   Allow the fire to suffocate. It may take several minutes for the fire blanket to completely smother a fire. Keep the fire blanket on the fire and do not remove it until it has completely cooled.

4. 4

   Call the fire department. If the fire is not successfully extinguished within a few minutes of using the fire blanket, it is too large to manage. Call the fire department and leave the area. Even if you successfully extinguish the fire, the fire department can assist you in managing hotspots that may rekindle the fire.

5. 5

   After using the fire blanket, throw it away. Most fire blankets cannot be used more than once. It cannot be used again once it has been used. Replace it as soon as possible with a new fire blanket.

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1. 1

   Turn off the oxygen supply to microwave or oven fires. Stay calm if something catches fire in the oven or the nuke machine. Turn off the device, close the door, and keep a close eye on it. Closing it off and removing the heat source should cause small fires to go out quickly. Get your fire extinguisher and keep an eye on it. [1]

   • If the fire does not go out, carefully open the door and spray it with the extinguisher to put it out. Call the fire department right away if you have any problems.

2. 2

   Cover it with a lid. If something in the skillet has caught fire, quickly clap on the lid (or a larger lid) to smother it. This is the quickest and most effective method of putting out the fire. [2]

   • If the pan is emitting a lot of stinky smoke, consider moving it outside. When it's cool enough to handle, rinse it with the hose to keep the mess from stinking up your kitchen. Before attempting to grab the handle, put on a heating pad or oven mitt.

3. 3

   On grease fires, sprinkle baking soda or salt. It can be dangerous if you're frying bacon and the grease catches fire. You can smother the fire with a lid or a slightly damp towel. However, the safest and quickest (though not always the cleanest) method is to liberally sprinkle baking soda or salt onto the grease to quickly absorb it and extinguish the fire at the source. [3]

   • On grease fires, you should also feel free to use a fire extinguisher. It works especially well. Keep a safe distance from the grease and turn on the extinguisher.
   • On grease fires, avoid using water or flour. Flour can ignite, exacerbating the fire, and because water does not mix with oil, water can cause the oil to spray elsewhere, splattering flaming oil on other nearby surfaces. [4]

4. 4

   If you are unable to control the fire, evacuate the area. If the fire is very large, you should avoid using a fire extinguisher and instead get everyone out of your house. Call the fire department at 911 (in North America) or 112 (in Europe) and ask for the fire department. [5]

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1. 1

   Keep the fire going strong. Maintain a manageable fire while enjoying a campfire. Make it no larger than what is required for your group, and keep it burning steadily with large pieces of dry wood. Never use green or live wood in your fire, and always keep an eye on it. [6]

   • Before you start your fire, make sure the fire pit is the right size and quality. Consider reinforcing pre-made metal pits with dirt or rock to keep the fire safely contained and burning properly.
   • Do not burn glass, aluminum cans, or pressurized aerosols. When heated, these objects will not burn and will be extremely dangerous. [7]
   • If you want to keep your campfire small and short-burning, don't use any large logs.

2. 2

   Allow the fire to burn out before putting it out. The best way to ensure that your fire is safe to put out is to let it burn down and smolder for a long time before dumping water on it. If you're ready to call it a night, spread the embers as thinly as possible before ceasing to stir the fire and allowing it to slowly die down. [8]

   • Wait until you see a lot of ash accumulating where the embers were and the glow has faded. Keep your hand over the fire and monitor the heat it emits.

3. 3

   Pour a large amount of water on the embers. Pour slowly while keeping your bucket close to the embers. Don't throw it or dump it, as this can result in dangerous billowing smoke and ash. Aim for the embers, glowing or not, and continue to pour water onto the fire until the hissing sound stops completely. Then, just to be safe, pour a little more around the perimeter. To ensure that it is completely out, gently stir it with a fire-stick or shovel. [9]

4. 4

   As an alternative to water, use dirt or sand. Add an equal amount of sand or dry dirt to the embers and stir it around to coat the smoldering embers, effectively extinguishing them. Continue to gradually add the sediment to the fire and stir until it is cool enough to touch. [10]

   • Do not try to bury a fire. Burying a fire may allow it to smolder longer, catching tree roots or other dry brush on fire, protecting it from the elements, and allowing it to continue without your knowledge. [11]

5. 5

   Before you leave, make sure everything is cold. Before you abandon it entirely, the embers, ash, and logs should be cold enough to touch. There should be no smoke coming from the fire, and there should be no heat. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then double-check it.

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1. 1

   Examine the resources available to put out the fire. If you are near a pressurized water source and have enough hoses, use them to extinguish minor fires and wet potential fuel in the immediate area.

2. 2

   If no water is available, use a tool to create a "fire break." Dig a shallow trench around the fire's perimeter, or scrape potential fuel away, exposing as much bare earth as possible. Concentrate on the area "downwind" of the flames, as the wind will push the fire that way. [12]

   • If available, use heavy equipment to create a larger firebreak if the situation calls for it. A farm tractor equipped with a disk, a bulldozer, or other equipment can quickly create a substantial fire break.

3. 3

   Attempt to put out the fire with water. If no other fire fighting equipment is available and a stream, pond, or other source of water is nearby, use buckets, pots, or other containers to transport water to the blaze. If you are close enough to the brush to use a hose, use it as soon as possible.

   • Wet the ground in front of the direction the fire may be traveling to try to control the burn. If the wind is blowing in a specific direction, keep an eye on it and cut it off at the pass.

4. 4

   Prepare to leave the area if the danger level rises to an unacceptable level. If you must flee a fire, choose a path that is quick and easy to traverse and is away from the fire's path. If the smoke and heat become too intense, cover your mouth with your shirt, preferably wet. [13]

5. 5

   Contact the fire department. If your leaf pile has gotten a little out of hand, that's one thing, but a serious brush fire requires immediate attention from professionals. Use your discretion and call the fire department as soon as a brush fire reaches a manageable size or area. [14]

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1. 1

   Keep a high-quality fire extinguisher in your home at all times. Consider keeping a few in easily accessible locations and ensuring that everyone in your household understands how to use them. Keep one in the basement, one in the kitchen, and one elsewhere in the house, such as near the bedrooms. They're good for several years, but have them tested and recharged on a regular basis to ensure they'll be ready when you need them.

2. 2

   Maintain the functionality of your fire alarms. Check your fire alarms every month to make sure the batteries are in good condition and change them out regularly Having the proper warning system in place can provide valuable extra minutes that can mean the difference between an inconvenience and a disaster. [15]

3. 3

   Maintain your electrical appliances on a regular basis. Never use chords to overload outlets or power strips. To avoid dangerous electrical fires, avoid plugging in more cords than an outlet can handle. Unplug unused appliances on a regular basis to avoid overloading circuits. [16]

   • Use space heaters with caution. Keep flammable clothing and other materials away from space heaters and other devices that could catch fire.

4. 4

   Use caution when working with candles. Candles start more than one-third of all home fires. Please remember not to leave candles unattended and to keep them away from drapes and other fabrics that could catch fire. Always put them out safely and ensure that candles are completely out before leaving them unattended.

   • Instead of open flame candles, consider using battery or electric-powered heaters. All of the aromatic benefits of burning candles can be obtained without the risk of fire.

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