Fire Safety Fundamentals 🌎

It’s important to understand how to properly use a fire extinguisher before a fire occurs, in order to make sure that it’s used safely and effectively. Though you should only use a fire extinguisher if you’re trained to do so, it’s helpful to remember the basics if the need to use one arises during an emergency. In this topic, learners are taught when it’s appropriate to use a fire extinguisher, and how to do so using the PASS model: pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep.

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• French

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• Spanish

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1. Only attempt to extinguish a fire if you’re trained to use a fire extinguisher and have the correct type of extinguisher to put out the fire; otherwise, you could injure yourself or make the fire worse.

2. Only use a fire extinguisher to put out small, contained fires that are just starting, to help you protect yourself or others from injury.

3. Make sure you have a clear escape route to use if the fire you are extinguishing spreads. If there isn’t one, don’t attempt to put out the fire, as you could injure yourself or others, and flee immediately.

4. When using a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS to help you use it correctly.

5. Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher. This will release a locking mechanism and allow you to discharge the extinguisher. ‘Pull’ represents the P in PASS.

6. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the flames. This will help you extinguish the fire’s fuel. ‘Aim’ represents the A in PASS.

7. Squeeze the lever or trigger slowly to release the extinguishing agent inside the extinguisher. The discharge will stop when the lever is released. ‘Squeeze’ represents the first S in PASS.

8. Sweep the nozzle from side to side, and stand at an appropriate distance from the fire, as specified in the instructions on the extinguisher, until the fire is completely out. ‘Sweep’ represents the second S in PASS.

Did you know that there are specific ways to put out a fire based on what’s causing the fire? In this topic, you’ll learn how to safely extinguish grease and cooking fires, electrical fires, as well as small and containable fires of any nature. Always make sure to follow your workplace procedures in the event of a fire at work.

• Questions (level 1, 2, 3)

• Video module

• PDF module (This module was created in a tool that is not supported by our Content Studio offering.)

Translated content is typically AI-generated, and in some instances, it's been human-reviewed. Review the list below for translation details within this topic.

• English

• French

  • Questions = AI-translated

  • Video = AI-translated

  • PDF = AI-translated

• Spanish

  • Questions = human-translated

  • Video = AI-translated

  • PDF = AI-translated

1. If a fire of any kind is growing rapidly, evacuate the area and call emergency services as fires can grow out of control very quickly.

2. You can use an ABC-rated fire extinguisher on electrical fires, oil, gas, and cooking fires, as well as “ordinary combustible” fires (paper, cloth, trash, wood, etc.). They are a multi-use extinguisher that can safely put out these types of fires.

3. If available, use a Class K fire extinguisher on cooking fires. They’re specifically for fires involving cooking oils and grease, like animal fat or vegetable oils.

4. If there is any type of small fire in an oven, turn off the oven and do not open the door. The lack of oxygen will help put the fire out naturally.

5. If a small grease or cooking fire starts on a stovetop, cut off the oxygen to the fire by covering it with a metal pot lid or baking sheet to smother the flames. Turn off the burner and wait for the fire to go out.

6. For a small and manageable cooking or electrical fire, smother the fire with baking soda or salt. You will need a lot to successfully extinguish the fire.

7. Never try to extinguish an electrical fire with water. You could get shocked, and water may cause the fire to spread.

8. Electrical fires can be extinguished using a Class C or a multi-use ABC-rated fire extinguisher.

9. In the event of a small electrical fire, unplug the device that’s causing the fire. If you can’t unplug it safely, find another way to disconnect it from the power source, like turning off the switch, or shutting off the power at the electrical panel.