If a fire of any size flares up, first get everyone out of danger.

A kitchen grease fire in a pan is easily extinguished by placing a lid over the pan and turning off the range. To put out an oven fire, just shut the door and turn off the heat. In both cases, lack of oxygen snuffs out the fire. Never try to put out a grease fire with water.

Stop, drop, and roll is a survival rule to teach everyone in the family. If clothing ever catches fire, rolling snuffs out the flames. Running, an instinctive response, only fans the flames.

Keep fire extinguishers handy in the kitchen, shop, garage, and furnace area, or wherever fire risks are highest in your home. Place an extinguisher near the exit to the area, out of a small child’s reach but where an adult can easily access it. Know how to use the extinguisher so you don’t have to stop to read the directions in an emergency.

If a small fire gets out of control, stop using the extinguisher and get everyone out of the house.

Make sure the extinguisher you buy has the UL mark. There are different kinds of fire extinguishers to handle different types of fires. A green A on the label indicates that the extinguisher will put out burning paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and many plastics. A red B means the extinguisher will work on flammable liquids such as kitchen greases, oils, gasoline, paints, and solvents. For electrical fires, look for a blue C. You can also buy a multipurpose dry-chemical extinguisher labeled A-B-C that will put out most any kind of fire.

Maintain an active charge in your extinguishers. Most fire departments will inspect fire extinguishers at no cost. Have them recharged if used at all; look in your telephone directory under “Fire Extinguishers” or “Fire Equipment.”

SEE NEXT: Fire! Are You Ready? Our Top 5 Fire Prevention Tips

What to Do in the Event of a Fire

Get a Pre-Screened Fire Prevention and Protection Contractor

Copyright. All rights reserved.