Remember To PASS When Seconds Matter

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Remembering to PASS, which stands for PULL, AIM, SQUEEZE, and SWEEP.

When the piercing, incessant beep of a smoke detector wakes you in the middle of the night, what do you do? What if an unattended towel on the stove causes a kitchen fire; how would you react? How about that gentle summer breeze blowing your curtain across a lit candle; are you prepared? A working smoke detector is a critical component in any home; however, having a portable fire extinguisher can act as an invaluable tool in helping your family escape the blaze.

Remember To PASS

Remembering to PASS, which stands for PULL, AIM, SQUEEZE, and SWEEP, could be key when seconds count. This simple mnemonic aide contains four easy steps to putting out a fire with an extinguisher:

1. PULL out the pin. That action releases the locking mechanism and prepares the canister to be activated.

2. AIM toward the base. Hold the canister low to maintain a stable grasp, and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.

3. SQUEEZE the handle of the fire extinguisher to activate and project the contents.
4. SWEEP the foam using steady left-to-right motions until the fire is eliminated.

Preparation Is Key

When you are confronted with flames threatening your family and home, it is easy to become paralyzed with fear. While you try not to dwell on the “what ifs” in life, preparation is vital due to the daily occurrence of home fires in Blackman, TN. Owning one is not enough; you also have to know how to use an extinguisher effectively.

Know When To Retreat

In the event the blaze cannot be contained, retreat to safety and contact your local emergency number.
Home fires are frightening, and while working fire alarms and a correctly maintained fire extinguisher are invaluable tools that can offer your family lifesaving time when every second counts, sometimes they are not enough.

Blackman, TN, has fire restoration services available to homeowners. They cannot replace the irreplaceable, but they can help you tackle the fire damage and navigate the restoration process to get your family back home faster.