Home Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers - can they save your life?

What are home fire extinguishers?

A fire extinguisher is a cylindrical metal container which is used to put out fires. It usually contains a foam or vaporizing liquid. The contents are pressurized in order to produce a powerful spray of water, foam or powder to put out a fire.



Have you ever realized how important fire extinguisher safety is for you and your family? When you are planning ahead and preparing for emergencies, you will want to purchase fire extinguishers for your home, and for each of your cars. The more you have the safer you are!

Do you have home fire extinguishers on hand and ready in case of a fire?

Fire extinguishers should be ready and available in several places throughout your home. The first place to have a fire extinguisher is near your stove. Make sure that your kitchen fire extinguisher is not too close to the stove, due to the fact that a fire may occur and you may not have access to the fire extinguisher because of the flames. The best location for your fire extinguisher will be between six and eight feet away from the stove.

The garage would be another good location for a fire extinguisher. There are many types of fires that can start in a garage so you would want to have your fire extinguisher easily accessible.

Knowing that you have fire extinguishers in several key places throughout your home will help you and your family to be better prepared for a fire emergency.

How to use a home fire extinguisher:

• Remove the fire extinguisher from its mount.
  
  
• Hold the fire extinguisher while pulling out the pin. (do not squeeze the trigger while pulling the pin)
  
  
• Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  
  
• Squeeze the trigger and spray back and forth over the fire.

Click here to see a video demonstration

Remember that there are different types of home fire extinguishers, some of them have a small hose to aim at the fire, while the smaller units have just a nozzle.

Another thing to remember is you should learn how to use a fire extinguisher before a fire occurs. It is not a good idea to try and read the instructions while you are in an emergency situation.




A fire extinguisher is used to give you an avenue of escape and get out of danger!

Fire Extinguisher types:

• Class-A - used for ordinary combustibles, such as cloth, paper, plastics.
  
  
• Class-B - used for flammable liquids, such as gas, paint, propane and butane.
  
  
• Class-C - used for electrical fires.

A combination A-B-C fire extinguisher is recommended for your home, car and garage.

How to maintain home fire extinguishers:

• Check the gauge, make sure it says "Full".
  
  
• Check the tags for expiration date.
  
  
• Check the hose for obstructions, if you have a hose.
  
  
• Check the mount to make sure it is properly fastened.
  
  
• Invert the fire extinguisher five times.
  
  
• Recheck the gauge and if the needle has moved at all, replace the fire extinguisher.

Return to Top Home Fire Extinguishers