- When confronted with a fire, your first action should be to ensure that you can exit the area safely. Fires can flare up again, even if they give the appearance of being extinguished. Never turn your back on an extinguished fire -- it may only take a moment for a fire to burst back into life. Be aware of the different categories of fire extinguisher that are available. Some fire extinguishers should never be used on certain fire categories.
- Never use a category A fire extinguisher on an electrical fire, as it contains water. Water is a good conductor of electricity, so using category A extinguishers on electrical fires means you run the risk of electrical shock. Burning oil fires, such as in a deep fat fryer, will flare up if water extinguishers are used on them.
- Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are labeled as type B and should not be used in confined spaces without the use of breathing apparatus. Using a carbon dioxide extinguisher in an enclosed area will reduce the oxygen levels in the vicinity, making it hard to breathe.
Fire extinguishers containing carbon dioxide also contain dry ice, a chemical product caused by pressurized carbon dioxide. When using carbon dioxide extinguishers, do not handle the plastic horn of the extinguisher, as it will be extremely cold and may freeze the hand and cause skin damage. - One of the most important firefighting principles is making the decision to fight or flee. Fire extinguishers are useful for tackling small fires, but larger fires should be extinguishers by the emergency services. Your first consideration upon discovering a fire should be the safety of yourself and others. Always ensure there is an exit route from a fire, as it can easily become a conflagration in a matter of minutes.
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