When using a fire extinguisher, how close should you get to the fire?

The recommended approach to using a fire extinguisher is to maintain a safe distance from the fire while still being able to effectively extinguish it. Being as far away as possible helps minimize the risk of injury from flames, smoke, or potential explosions that can occur in an uncontrolled fire situation. Maintaining this distance allows the individual to assess the situation better and enables the use of the extinguisher effectively without putting themselves in immediate danger.

While getting too close can expose you to increased hazards, it is also crucial to ensure that you are within a reasonable range to accurately direct the extinguisher's contents at the base of the fire. This way, you can effectively target the flames without getting too close to the heat and danger. Therefore, it's important to balance safety with effectiveness and stand far enough away to ensure personal safety, while still being able to extinguish the flames effectively.