Have you ever used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire?

If so, did it work?

I'm guessing not. In fact, I'd bet that the extinguisher probably made things worse.

That's because there are different types of fires and different types of extinguishers that can be used to put them out. If you're putting out the wrong kind of fire with the wrong kind of extinguisher, you'll just end up making things worse instead of better!

So what are these types of fires and what type of extinguishers should you use to put them out? Let's take a look at each one:

Mistake #1: Don't know what kind of fire you're dealing with

If you don't know what kind of fire you're dealing with, so it can be hard to know which fire extinguisher to use. And if you don't use the right one, you could end up making the situation worse!

OK, let's talk about what kinds of fires there are:

• Class A: Fires involving wood, paper, cloth, and other combustible materials (paper and wood)
• Class B: Fires involving liquids or flammable liquids (gasoline)
• Class C: Fires involving electrical equipment or other energized items (electrical appliances)

Luckily, we've got some tips on how to avoid this common mistake.

First, think about whether your fire is electrical or flammable. If it's electrical, make sure that you're using an extinguisher designed for electrical fires—these are usually red and have a "P" on them. On the other hand, if your fire is flammable (such as oil or gasoline), make sure that you're using an extinguisher designed for flammable liquids—these are usually yellow and have an "F" on them.

If those options don't work for you, look at the other symbols on your extinguisher: a triangle means that it's safe for Class A fires (wood and paper), while an inverted triangle means it's safe for Class B fires (gasoline). If neither of those applies to your situation either… well then maybe it's time to call 911!

Mistake #2: Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher.

You've got to be kidding me. How can you not know what type of fire you're dealing with?

The fact is, it's more common than you think—even in safety training. I mean, when was the last time you saw a fire extinguisher? And when was the last time you really thought about them? Probably never, right? It's just something that's always been around and always will be. But let me tell you: You should be thinking about them—and maybe even taking a second look at your training methods.

Why? Because while it may seem like they're all the same, but they are quite different. So here's a quick guide for how to tell whether you should be using chemical foam or dry chemical powder or CO2 gas or water:

• Chemical foam is ideal for flammable liquids like gasoline or oil. It's also good for electrical fires where there isn't much risk of burning yourself (so long as you don't get too close).
• Dry chemical powder works well on flammable solids like wood and paper, but not so well on greasy liquids like grease or oil.
• CO2 gas is great for open flames like candles or campfires—but it can actually make matters worse if used incorrectly because it will push oxygen into an enclosed space and cause an explosion.
• Water works well in most situations (except electrical), but is usually only effective at cooling down hot surfaces—not actually extinguishing anything!

If you use the wrong type of extinguisher for your fire, you could damage nearby objects or injure yourself if the pressure from the incorrect extinguisher causes an explosion! You'll also waste valuable time because you won't be able to contain the flames as quickly as possible if you use an inappropriate tool for the job.

Mistake #3: Using an expired fire extinguisher

You may not be aware of this, but fire extinguishers expire. It's true! And if you use one that has expired, it could make the situation worse instead of better.

Why? Because an expired fire extinguisher doesn't have the same amount of pressure, which means it won't put out a fire as quickly or effectively as a new one would.

If you're unsure whether or not your fire extinguisher has expired, check the date on the side of the cylinder—it should have a several-digit year printed on it, which may be varied for different manufacturers. Also, look for the expiration date printed on the label inside of the cylinder; if this date has passed, then you should replace your current extinguisher with a new one immediately. If your fire extinguisher has been in storage for several years and hasn't been used at all during that time period, then it may have been damaged by exposure to extreme temperatures or physical abuse (like being dropped).

Now that you've learned the basics of using a fire extinguisher, take some time to practice and get comfortable with them. You never know when you'll need to use one, and it's better to be prepared!

We hope that this post has been helpful to you. We've tried to cover a lot of different ways that you can get yourself out of a jam when it comes to fire safety and handling fires. But if you have any questions or need more help with any topics related to fire safety, don't hesitate to reach out! We're happy to help!