42%

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

Town of Culpeper – Discarded fireworks that combusted are to blame for a trash truck fire that was put out with a fire extinguisher. A Culpeper, Vir. neighbor was walking his dog, Spanky, when he noticed white smoke pouring out of the trash truck. He grabbed a spare fire extinguisher and ran it over to the trash truck driver whose own extinguisher was nearly depleted. Officials reminded the public to not put combustible material in the trash.

Culpeper Star-Exponent (Culpeper, VA)

Oconto, Wis. – Employees at a specialty products plant in Oconto, Wisconsin used a dry chemical fire extinguisher to knock down a fire inside of a paper baler used for recycling. While the fire stayed in the machine, there was a lot of smoke within the plant. No injuries were reported. In a separate nearby fire emergency, an Oconto police officer used a portable fire extinguisher from his squad car to knock down a fire on front exterior of a one-story home.

Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI)

Fort Kent, Maine – A fire emergency in Maine could have been much worse if not for the preparedness of the homeowners. Fire officials say a young man was trying to rig up a cell phone charger and splicing some wires before setting it on bedside table to take a shower. The young man’s parents, who were at home, heard smoke detectors and saw smoke coming from the bedroom. The homeowners used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Damage was limited to a burned the nightstand and scorched bed. There were no injuries.

St. John Valley Times/Fiddlehead Focus (Madawaska, ME)

Worchester, Mass. – Two Massachusetts firefighters are recognized for their bravery saving lives in the face of separate house fires that were put out with fire extinguishers. Firefighter/EMT Christopher Veracka of the Kingston Fire Dept. was acknowledged for rescuing his next-door neighbors, who are also his wife’s family, from a house fire and knocking the fire down with a fire extinguisher. Lt. Christopher Mahoney of the Carver Fire Dept. was also recognized for saving a woman who was trapped by a fire on the second floor of her home.

Wicked Local (Randolph, MA)

Two Rivers, Wis. – Firefighters in Two Rivers, Wisconsin used a fire extinguisher to put out an overnight electrical fire at an assisted living facility. The firefighters also helped safely evacuate all residents. The fire caused about $20,000 in damage.

WLUK Fox 11 News (Green Bay, WI)

Dover-Foxcroft, Maine – A Maine homeowner knocked down a cooking fire with a fire extinguisher before crews arrived, which saved the home from severe damage. Firefighters said the fire broke out while the resident was cooking wet potatoes in hot grease on the stove. The fire flared up into the microwave and then into the cupboards.

The Piscataquis Observer (Dover-Foxcroft, ME)

Santa Barbara, Calif. – An Amtrak employee used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire inside the Amtrak station before it could spread. It began when a man used newspapers to start a fire in a nonoperational fireplace located inside the passenger waiting area. Witnesses observed the man warming himself in front of the fire. He was arrested for arson.

Santa Barbara Independent (Santa Barbara, CA)

Fish Creek, Wis. – Two recent fires in Door County, Wisconsin were doused by people making split-second decisions with fire extinguishers. “The impact of those extinguishers was significant,” said Gibraltar Fire Department Chief Andy Bertges. “I don’t think a lot of people realize what was prevented and saved. It’s hundreds of thousands of dollars’ difference and peoples’ livelihoods that were protected. I think it’s just amazing.”

Door County Pulse (Baileys Harbor, WI)

Green Bay, Wis. – Fire crews in Green Bay only used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire in an apartment unit. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters remained at the scene to clear the apartment of smoke. The total damage caused by the fire is estimated at $1,500. No injuries were reported.

WFRV Local 5 (Green Bay, WI)

Branson, MO – The quick response of a Branson, MO police officer armed with a fire extinguisher kept a fire at a commercial building from spreading. “We use the phrase big fires start small, small fires produce a huge amount of smoke and smoke is what kills,” Branson Fire Rescue Chief Ted Martin said. “When you look at this (fire), it was small, but it produced a huge amount of black smoke that a police officer was able to see, so he could make that call for help.”

Branson Tri-Lakes News (Hollister, MO) 




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Portable Fire Extinguishers Dramatically Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Building Fires


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Portable Fire Extinguishers are Safe & Effective Tools for Building Occupants

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See It, Grab It, Use It Infographic


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