In addition to homeowners insurance, one of the most important things you can do to protect your home is have multiple working fire extinguishers. When placed near an exit in an easy-to-grab location, fire extinguishers can put out small fires before firefighters arrive on the scene, or at least suppress the flames while you escape. We have compiled a guide to fire extinguishers with tips as to how to select the right one for your home and how to use them.

Types of fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are classified A, B, or C, or as a combination of classes. This refers to the types of fires that each extinguisher is certified to fight. 

• A is graded to fight fires involving ordinary combustibles
• B is designed to fight fires involving flammable liquids
• C is made to extinguish electrical fires

Many extinguishers sold in stores are labeled A:B:C and are designed to fight all three types. Another difference in fire extinguishers involves is whether they are rechargeable or not. A rechargeable extinguisher will cost more and is typically made from heavy duty metal parts, but refilling it once the pressure gauge shows that it has been depleted (either by use or time) is still less expensive than buying a new disposable one made of plastic.

Selecting a fire extinguisher

When selecting an extinguisher, it is important to opt for something that will be light enough to easily wield but has enough volume to put out a fire. A 10 lb extinguisher is ideal for a garage or home workshop, where a fire might grow in size before being noticed. A two-pounder, on the other hand, is good to keep in a car for emergencies. The National Fire Protection Association recommends an extinguisher for each floor, so make a plan and purchase accordingly. 

Using a fire extinguisher

After purchasing an extinguisher, it pays to have training using it before you encounter an actual fire. Make sure all extinguishers are within sight and accessible and to help remember how to use them, remember the acronym PASS:

• Pull the extinguisher safety pin.
• Aim at the source of the flames rather than at the flames themselves, standing at least 6 feet from the fire.
• Squeeze the trigger and hold, keeping the extinguisher upright.
• Sweep the source of the flames until the extinguisher runs dry.

Even if the fire appears to have been extinguished, make sure the area is thoroughly coated to avoid flare-ups. If you have used a fire extinguisher, it must be re-charged and refilled or replaced right away.

Maintenance 

Even if you have not used it, fire extinguishers will naturally lose charge over time. Keep an eye on pressure gages and refill the extinguisher when it gets low. If you find yourself too busy to regularly check the gage, think about installing a sensor system from MIJA, called EN-Gauge that will automatically let you know if the pressure is getting low.

With fire extinguishers on every floor, combined with a smoke detectors and a fire safety plan, your home can be made more safe and secure in the unfortunate event of fire. At Fundy Mutual, we aim to provide the highest quality home safety tips, while also the lowest rates for home insurance in Hampton and beyond.