Ripley 4-H Safety Club learns how to properly use fire extinguishers

The Ripley 4-H Safety Club, and some members of the Sheep Club, gathered at the Coenen farm on the 5th Concession of the Municipality of Kincardine, Wednesday night, to learn about fire safety on the farm and how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

Kincardine fire chief Kent Padfield and fire prevention officer Shane Watson led the group, with Padfield focusing on farm fire safety, and Watson working with the fire extinguishers.

Watson told the youth that a fire extinguisher is not for fighting a fire. "It's to help you get out safely. Learn to use it properly so you can put out enough of a fire to back out safely."

He said there are three  types of extinguishers: Class A for combustibles, Class B for gases or liquids, and Class C for electrical fires.

Each 4-H member had the opportunity to operate the fire extinguisher on a simulated fire.

Using the acronym "PASS" as a reminder, the proper procedure is to Pull the pin (and do a quick test to ensure it's working), Aim the sprayer at the fire, Squeeze the mechanism at the top of the extinguisher to activate it, and then Sweep back and forth along the base of the fire.

"Use the extinguisher to spray at the fire and then get out," said Watson. "And never turn your back on a fire."