Having a fire extinguisher in your home is one of the best ways to prevent a fire from starting in your house. No matter how great the fire department is it will take them a few minutes to respond to a fire but if you can start the battle before they get there then you have a perfect defense. As a basic rule you should have at least 2 fire extinguishers in your home, more for a larger home.
There are various types of home fire extinguishers available on the market right now and it is important to use the right kind to put out a fire in your home. Using an incorrect fire extinguisher could mean that the extinguisher is less effective and not able to battle a fire. If it is not the right type of fire extinguisher it could allow the fire to re-ignite after you think it is out. Do your research and find the right type of fire extinguishers for the ultimate safety in your home.
Fire extinguishers generally fall into three categories based on the types of fires they are designed to combat. The first is a called a Class A fire. These are fires that are caused by the most common flammable items like burning wood, paper, plastic, or cloth. The second kind is the Class K fire extinguishers. These are for fires that you are most likely to find in a kitchen like cooking oils, animal fat, or vegetable fat. The final type if the Class C fire extinguisher, which is designed for electrical equipment fires.
The most recommended kind of fire extinguishers for a home are called Dry Chemical extinguishers. These work for both class A and Class C fires which are the most common for a household. They work because they negate the chemical reaction that is allowing the fire to fuel itself. It will create a barrier between the oxygen needed to continue the fire and the material that is burning.
Another kind of extinguisher you can choose is a water mist extinguishers. These are mainly for Class A kinds of fires but also works fairly well on Class C fires as well. It eliminates the heat that is needed for the fire to continue so it is very effective. There is also a pocket-sized version of the dry chemical extinguishers that work with a cartridge that are great for small house fires. A few types are only usable for one kind of fire. Like a water or foam extinguisher can only be used for Class A fires and using it near any electrical equipment could cause electrocution or make the fire worse. A carbon dioxide extinguisher can be used for the Class C fires in this case. There are many other kinds of fire extinguishers available so be sure to know what you’re looking for before you buy one.
