98%

of average individuals can properly use a fire extinguisher

the average untrained person can use a fire extinguisher safely and effectively to help save lives and protect property

95%

of the time fire extinguishers effectively extinguish fires

100%

of individuals studied used a fire extinguisher safely

371,000 residential fires are extinguished by fire extinguishers yearly

Fire Extinguishers
Save Lives

See It – Grab It – Use It

Traverse, City MI – In Traverse City, Michigan, a conservation officer is being recognized for rescuing a driver involved in a two-vehicle crash. While he was assisting the rescue effort, the engine of one of the vehicles caught fire. As the flames began to spread, he quickly retrieved the portable fire extinguisher from his patrol truck and extinguished the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to the driver of the vehicle. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital after the fire was extinguished.

 

MLive – Traverse City, MI

 

Somerset, KY – At a Dairy Queen in Somerset, Kentucky, employees quickly extinguished a kitchen fire before firefighters arrived. Firefighters dispatched to the scene were relieved to find that employees had already put out the flames using a portable fire extinguisher. The firefighters noted that the employees had completely extinguished the fire using proper fire extinguisher techniques. The swift response to the incident prevented serious damage and no injuries were reported.

 

FOX56 – Somerset, KY

 

Pine Bluff, AR – In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a school bus driver saved a police officer’s life after the officer’s vehicle slammed into his bus and caught fire. As flames began to spread across the vehicle, the bus driver was unable to get the driver out of the vehicle. He used a portable fire extinguisher from the bus to completely put out the flames, allowing time for emergency personnel to arrive and transport the officer to the hospital. The Pine Bluff Police Department praised the bus driver as a hero for his life-saving actions. The officer is expected to recover fully.

 

KTHV-TV – Little Rock, AR

 

Philomath, OR – A woman in Philomath, OR, averted disaster when oil in her oven ignited during a self-cleaning cycle. As the oven caught fire, she quickly grabbed a portable fire extinguisher from outside her apartment door and successfully extinguished the flames before firefighters arrived. Thanks to her swift actions, the damage was limited to the oven, and the fire department’s full response was canceled before they arrived.

 

Philomath News – Philomath, OR

 

Dundee, NE – Bystanders in Dundee, NE, are being praised for their quick actions in saving a driver whose vehicle had caught fire. As flames rapidly engulfed the car, two bystanders grabbed portable fire extinguishers and used them to slow the blaze long enough for others to pry open the car door and rescue the trapped driver. Although injured, the driver was saved before the fire could reach him. After the incident, one of the bystanders noted that she immediately purchased two more portable fire extinguishers to ensure she is prepared for a future fire emergency.

 

Beatrice Daily Sun – Beatrice, NE

 

Ashland, PA – A quick-thinking resident in Ashland, PA is being credited with saving lives after using a portable fire extinguisher to control a kitchen fire. The resident, who was upstairs at the time, noticed the fire and immediately took action, using the extinguisher to completely put out the flames. Fire officials later emphasized that the extinguisher was instrumental in saving both the home and the lives of the residents.

 

Shenandoah Sentinel – Shenandoah, PA

 

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Ahead of the July 4th holiday, fire officials in Fort Lauderdale, FL responded to a fire at a Walmart store. After a group of juveniles set off fireworks in the store, nearby clothing began to catch fire. Fortunately, an employee witnessed the incident and was able to knock out the flames using a portable fire extinguisher before they could spread. When firefighters arrived, they found that the fire was completely extinguished. Although some merchandise was damaged, the fire was contained, and no injuries were reported.

WSVN – Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Willowvale, NY – A 13-year-old boy from Willowvale, NY, received the Civilian of the Year Award for his heroic actions after a fire ignited in his neighbor’s garage. When his neighbor alerted him to the fire, he quickly sprang into action. Despite his age, he knew to grab his family’s portable fire extinguisher and rushed to his neighbor’s home. Using the extinguisher, he was able to safely knock out the flames before they could spread. After the incident, fire officials noted that his actions prevented serious damage to the home

The Daily Sentinel – Rome, NY

 

Kuna, ID – A resident of Kuna, ID, is being praised for using a portable fire extinguisher to save multiple drivers in recent years. His most recent effort came in June when he noticed a truck with an oil leak that had caught fire as the driver was driving down the interstate. Using the fire extinguisher he keeps in his car, the man was able to completely douse the fire, preventing significant damage to the vehicle. After witnessing a vehicle fire years ago, he decided to always keep a fire extinguisher in his own vehicle. Following the incident in June, fire officials in Kuna praised the man, urging everyone to keep a fire extinguisher in case of emergency.

KTVB7 – Kuna, ID

 

Deerfield, MA – When a kitchen fire broke out at a home in Deerfield, MA, fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke emanating from the house. Upon entering, firefighters found that tenants used a portable fire extinguisher to knock out the fire that started on the stovetop. Fire officials determined that the fire was contained to the stove before it could spread and proceeded to ventilate the home.

WWLP – Deerfield, MA

 




Latest Stories

View All Articles »

Research

Carbon Footprint Infographic

Portable Fire Extinguishers Dramatically Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Building Fires


Extinguisher Infographic

Portable Fire Extinguishers are Safe & Effective Tools for Building Occupants

Videos

About FireExtinguishersSaveLives.org


Why Fire Extinguishers are Important


How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher

Watch More »

Resources

See It, Grab It, Use It infographic

See It, Grab It, Use It Infographic


Types of Fire Extinguishers infographic

Types of Fire Extinguishers Infographic

View More »

Fire Safety Map

Are You Safe? Does your building require fire extinguishers throughout?
Every state has a State Fire Code with a section on fire extinguisher requirements. To get an overview of what state fire codes are based on and if states have made enhancements to fire codes visit the Interactive Fire Safety Map.

Interactive Fire Safety Map Screenshot

View Map »