What is the primary function of a fire extinguisher?

The primary function of a fire extinguisher is to control or extinguish small fires. Fire extinguishers are specifically designed as portable devices that release a fire-suppressing agent to tackle flames in their early stages. This makes them an invaluable tool for individual responders facing small fires before they escalate into larger blazes that could become more hazardous and difficult to manage.

While alerting people to evacuate, improving visibility in smoke, and slowing the spread of fire are important aspects of fire safety and management, these functions do not represent the main purpose of a fire extinguisher. The key role of an extinguisher is its direct capability to address a fire by putting it out or managing it effectively until professional help can arrive or until it is safe to evacuate. Thus, utilizing a fire extinguisher properly can often prevent extensive damage and enhance safety in emergency situations.