Fire Extinguishers
Save Lives
See It – Grab It – Use It
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
A Texas trucker was recently honored for his actions at the scene of a car fire in Georgia. When he noticed an accident and a burning vehicle while driving southbound on I-75, he pulled his truck over to assist. Fortunately, he knew his truck was equipped with a portable fire extinguisher. He rushed to the burning vehicle and used the extinguisher to control the fire. Thanks to his quick response, other bystanders were able to assist the trapped driver to safety.
Trucker News Staff – TN
Maplewood, MN – A 12-year-old from Maplewood, MN has received the Fire Chief’s Recognition Award for her quick thinking when she stopped a fire that broke out in her kitchen. As the fire began to spread from the stove to a nearby box on the counter, she knew to look for the nearest fire extinguisher. Although she had never been trained in how to use a fire extinguisher, she was able to completely douse the fire. After the incident, the family encouraged everyone to keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
Star Tribune – Maplewood, MN
Schertz, TX – When a fire broke out at a Schertz, Texas apartment building, a nearby police officer rushed in to help. Using a portable fire extinguisher, he was able to quickly get the fire under control and make sure everyone living in the apartment was safely evacuated. Thanks to his response, damage to the apartment was limited and no one was injured.
KTSA – San Antonio, TX
Miles City, MT – A staff member at a Miles City, Montana elementary school is being praised for a quick response when a fire broke out in the cafeteria’s kitchen. As fire crews arrived, they found light smoke emanating from the school and the successful evacuation of students taking place. Upon entering, firefighters found that a staff member had completely stopped the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. Fire officials thanked the staff member for the quick response, which prevented serious damage to the building and allowed the students to return to class later that day.
NonStopLocal – Miles City, MT
Philomath, OR – An Oregon man is being credited for his quick thinking after his camper caught fire while driving on the highway. When he noticed smoke emanating from the camper, the man pulled over, called 911, and then used a portable fire extinguisher to knock down the flames. He was then able to safely unhitch his vehicle and move it away from the camper. When firefighters arrived on scene, they made sure the fire was fully out. Fire officials noted that the man’s actions prevented serious damage and a potentially dangerous situation.
Philomath News – Philomath, OR
Lorain, OH – When a kitchen fire broke out at an apartment complex in Lorain, Ohio, a neighbor’s quick actions prevented a potential disaster. After hearing screams for help coming from a neighboring apartment, the man took a fire extinguisher from the hallway and used it to knock out the flames. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze was fully extinguished. Following the incident, officials commended the man for his bravery, noting that his actions prevented substantial damage to the apartment complex and potentially saved lives.
The Morning Journal – Lorain, OH
High Springs, FL – In High Springs, FL, a family awoke to smoke and flames when a candle that had been left burning started a fire in one of their bedrooms. Fortunately, the homeowner had kept a fire extinguisher in the home and safely used it to knock out the fire before firefighters arrived on scene, preventing significant damage to the home. Upon arriving, firefighters found that the fire was contained to the bedroom and completely extinguished.
Alachua Chronicle – High Springs, FL
Latest Stories
Employees use fire extinguisher against mechanical fire
Lincoln, NE – Employees at a manufacturing plant in Lincoln, NE utilized a portable fire extinguisher to stop the spread of a duct fire. After a mechanical failure in the plant’s exhaust system sparked the fire, employees used a nearby fire extinguisher to knock out the flames before firefighters arrived on scene. Fire officials praised […]
Use of fire extinguisher prevents porch fire from spreading
Elk River, MN – An employee of a Minnesota retirement community used a portable fire extinguisher to put out a fire caused by a discarded cigarette, preventing a potentially devastating porch fire. When a poorly discarded cigarette ignited a porch planter, flames and smoke began to enter the apartment building. Hearing the smoke detector, the […]
Homeowners extinguish fire started by family pet
Almira Township, MI – Homeowners in Almira Township, MI, used a portable fire extinguisher to put out a kitchen fire started by the family pet. According to fire officials, the family cat likely turned on the oven’s self-cleaning function which ignited grease in a pan left overnight. The home’s smoke alarm sounded, waking up the […]
Officer extinguishes engine fire, saves driver
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 […]
Quick-thinking employees extinguish fire
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 […]
Bus driver saves police officer after crash
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 […]
Oven fire quickly extinguished
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 […]
Heroes save driver after car catches fire
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 […]
Research
Portable Fire Extinguishers Dramatically Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Building Fires
Portable Fire Extinguishers are Safe & Effective Tools for Building Occupants
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About FireExtinguishersSaveLives.org
Why Fire Extinguishers are Important
How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher
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.
