All fires are not the same, and so you will need to know how to handle each type. If you use the wrong fire extinguisher agent, you can even make it worse. That’s why it’s so important that you know and can recognize the five different classes of fires.

Here’s what you need to know, and how you can put these fires out safely.

Get to Know the 5 Classes of Fires

If You Can’t Put Out the Fire…

There will be times when you won’t be able to tackle a fire yourself. If it has become too large, or you’re not confident about tackling it, then raise the alarm. Yell and pull any alarms that are near you, to alert others. Then, get out of the building.

Stay low to the ground, use stairs rather than elevators, and feel any door with the back of your hand before you open it. If it doesn’t feel cool to the touch, it will not be safe to open. As soon as you’re out, call 911 to get the emergency services to your location.

Conclusion

Now you know there are several types of fire, and they are all tackled in different ways. Having the right type of extinguisher is crucial, as some will make fires worse. If you’re not sure of the source of the fire or can’t tackle it, evacuate and call for help instead.