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Fire extinguishers can save lives and property. But just having a fire extinguisher won’t make your family safer. Before you buy or use a fire extinguisher, thoughtfully answer these questions:
- Do you know how to operate the fire extinguisher? If you plan to buy one, are you willing to commit the time to learn how?
- Do you know when to use it (when the fire is confined to a small area, everyone has exited the building, the fire department has been called, and the room is not filled with smoke)?
- Are you willing to commit the time to maintaining a fire extinguisher? The Centers for Disease Control recommend that fire extinguishers be inspected monthly, and they must be charged again after use.
- Do you know exactly how you will get out if the room does fill with smoke?
Fire extinguishers don’t replace creating and practicing your escape plan.
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