In the context of fire safety, what does the 'A' in PASS stand for?

In the context of fire safety, the 'A' in the acronym PASS stands for "Aim." This acronym is used as a guideline for operating a fire extinguisher effectively during a fire emergency.

When using a fire extinguisher, the first step is to aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the flames. This is crucial because the base is where the fuel is located, and targeting it enhances the chances of effectively extinguishing the fire. Aiming correctly helps to disrupt the combustion process and ensures that the extinguishing agent can effectively suppress the flames. Following the steps of PASS—Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep—empowers users to tackle small fires safely and efficiently.