Help Picking the Right Fire Extinguisher for You

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

You might think you don’t need a fire extinguisher in your home, but it can be a lifesaver.  Household extinguishers can put out a small fire before firefighters arrive or at least suppress flames, giving you and your family time to escape unharmed. 

There are lots of choices in type and size of extinguishers, so here’s a quick reference guide on what to look for for each area of your home.

10 pound – Best for your garage.

5 pound – Great in your car; look for one with mounting hardware so it doesn’t roll around in the car and you can locate it quickly if necessary.

Stove Top – Can be mounted on range hood over the stove.

Always remember to pick an extinguisher that is light enough for you to maneuver.  A 10-pound fire extinguisher might put out a fire, but if you can’t physically maneuver it easily, it won’t do you much good on the floor!

Lastly, make sure to check the expiration date of your extinguisher regularly to make sure that it has not expired.  If it has, make sure to replace it immediately.  A good time to remember to check your fire extinguishers is when you change your clocks, and also change the batteries in your smoke detectors at the same time.