Fire is dangerous and life-threatening. So before you fight a fire, be certain that:

The fire is small and not spreading. Fire can double in size within two or three minutes.

You have the proper fire extinguisher for what is burning.

The fire won’t block your exit if you can’t control it. So keep the exit at your back.

Your fire extinguisher works. Inspect extinguishers once a month for dents, leaks or other signs of damage.

You know how to use your fire extinguisher. There is no enough time to read instructions when a fire occurs.

How to fight fire safely:
Always stand with the exit at your back.

Stand several feet away from the fire and always move closer only when the fire starts to diminish.

Use a sweeping motion and aim at the base of the fire.

Always ensure that there is someone to help you just in case anything goes wrong.

Watch the area for a while to ensure it doesn’t re-ignite.

Never fight fire if:
It is spreading rapidly. Only use a fire extinguisher when the fire is in its early stages. If it is already spreading quickly, evacuate and call the fire department.

You don’t know what is burning. Unless you know what is burning, you won’t know what type of fire extinguisher to use. Even if you have an extinguisher, there could be something that will explode or produce highly toxic smoke.

You don’t have the proper fire extinguisher. The wrong type of extinguisher can be dangerous or life-threatening.

There is too much smoke or you are at risk of inhaling smoke. Seven out of 10 fire-related deaths occur from breathing in poisonous gases produced by the fire.

Any sort of fire will produce some amount of carbon monoxide, the most deadly gas produced by a fire. Materials such as wool, silk, nylon and some plastics can produce other highly toxic gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide or hydrogen chloride.