What Fire Extinguisher Is Best for My Home?

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

Avoid a home fire by learning how to use a fire extinguisher.

Keeping a fire extinguisher in your Spring Hill, TN, home can save you and your property from a small fire. If you're wondering which kind to choose, here is some information about different types of extinguishers.

Extinguisher Classes

Each class of extinguisher fights a different type of fire:

Class A: Wood, paper and trash
Class B: Grease, oil-based liquids and gasoline
Class C: Electrical equipment
Class D: Flammable metals
Class K: Animal and vegetable oils used in cooking

Household extinguishers are rated A, B or C. On the label, the numbers that precede the letters give the rating of the extinguisher's effectiveness against that type of fire. An extinguisher with a 4-B rating, for example, is more effective against a grease fire than one rated 2-B. Higher effectiveness usually means a higher-priced extinguisher. There is no number designation for Class C.

Extinguisher Sizes
You can choose your extinguisher size based on where you will use it. A 5-pound extinguisher is suited for a typical home fire and is easy to pick up and use. A 10-pound fire extinguisher is a good choice for the garage, where a fire may grow before you see it. You can also find stove-top extinguishers that mount above the range.

Best Extinguisher Locations
Safety experts recommend you keep an extinguisher on each floor of your home for maximum fire preparedness. The kitchen is an ideal place because of the enhanced risk of fire in that room. Keep the extinguisher where household members can reach it quickly and easily. The best location is near an exit if the fire gets out of control and you must evacuate.
If you've experienced a home fire and have been through the process of fire restoration, you know that prevention is the best policy. If you have not had a home fire, you can take steps to avoid one by learning to use your fire extinguisher and equipping your home with the correct sizes and types.