Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher on hand, in case of a kitchen fire or a fire that starts from a careless cigarette smoker. However, there are many different types of fire extinguishers you can purchase and they don't all work on the same types of fires. You also want to ensure that the extinguishers are kept safely in the home and are always noticeable and accessible.

Note a few points that you'll want to remember for buying and keeping fire extinguishers in your home.

1. Choosing the type

When you buy a fire extinguisher, you may notice that it has a class letter on its label. This tells you the type of fire it should be used for, and you need to choose an extinguisher accordingly. Class A is for paper, wood, and other such common combustibles. If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace in the home, choose a Class A. 

Class B is for gas and petroleum products. If you store gasoline in your garage or work on your car often, choose a Class B for keeping in the garage. Class K fire extinguishers are for cooking oils and grease. These are often found in commercial kitchens. If you cook with lots of grease or have a gas stove, keep a Class K fire extinguisher in your kitchen. 

2. Proper storage

Your fire extinguisher will do you no good when a fire breaks out if you cannot get to it, or if other family members don't know where it's stored. Be sure you choose a safe, unobstructed spot to keep your extinguisher, for example, in the kitchen you might store it under the sink but be sure you don't put cleansers or other items in front of it. A wall clip that holds the extinguisher can be the best choice in most homes; this keeps it off the ground so it won't be covered by anything, and also makes it easy for anyone in the home to get to it when there is a fire.

3. Knowing how to use it

One thing you might consider is to have your family take a training class on what to do if a fire breaks out at home, including instruction on how to use the extinguishers. Your local fire department may offer such a course, which can mean actual hands-on use of an extinguisher. This can ensure you know how to pull the pin of the extinguisher before using it, and how to aim it to actually smother a fire.

Contact a company like Protect-A-Life Fire Services to learn more.

Share