How to Operate a Fire Extinguisher
Follow these three basic steps to operate a fire extinguisher. Use caution when using an extinguisher based on the type of fire and the extinguisher on hand. For example, use a dry-based extinguisher for oil fires. Water-based extinguishers will spread oil fires.
1. Pull the Pin
(Metal Ring at Top of Fire Extinguisher)
![A cartoon image of a fire extinguisher.](https://brightspotcdn.byui.edu/dims4/default/aff71b9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/800x533!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbyu-idaho-brightspot-production-us-east-2.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fca%2F8b%2Ffba762004b2bb0b817d0d78b876d%2Fdsbuffer.bmp.png)
2. Aim at the base of the Fire
(Stand 8-10 feet from fire)
![A cartoon image of flames.](https://brightspotcdn.byui.edu/dims4/default/611ab3b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/800x533!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbyu-idaho-brightspot-production-us-east-2.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2F0c%2Feb8073194996be7c70eae0e2e6a6%2Fdsbuffer.bmp.png)
3. Squeeze Handle and Sweep Back and Forth
![A cartoon image of firefighters extinguishing a fire using fire extinguishers.](https://brightspotcdn.byui.edu/dims4/default/718d032/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/800x533!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbyu-idaho-brightspot-production-us-east-2.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2Faa%2F3d4afda64278b1d093b46e00e4c3%2Funtitled.png)