Safety Solutions

Most of us probably learned that a fire extinguisher is used to put out fires in kindergarten when the local fire department came to our school and showed us all of their fire fighting equipment.  Since then, most of us have never actually used one or thought about how else a fire extinguisher might be helpful. 

So the first answer to the two ways to use a fire extinguisher question is self evident... to put out fires.  But the second answer is a little more challenging. 

Would you be surprised if I said the second use is to repel a violent intruder?  That's right.  That simple red fire extinguisher can not only save you in case of fire but it can also save you when evil or crazy shows up and tries to hurt you.  That's right.  The effects of having a common ABC fire extinguisher discharged into a violent intruder's face can be devastating.  Instantly their eyes are pasted shut and burning, their mouth and nose are filled with powder as they try to gasp for air and the fog and impact of the discharge places them in sensory overload.  All combined it provides an excellent non-lethal opportunity for you and those with you to escape to a safe place while leaving your violent intruder in a cloud of white powder.  And best of all... clean up for the bad guy and the building is simply water. 

So next time you pass a fire extinguisher in the school hall or at the mall remember it can do more than just put out fires.  Consider adding one to your classroom or in your home today!

This is John Baker for safetysolutions4schools.com