Everyone knows that fire is dangerous. Fire can spread quickly and cause irreparable damage to property and life. And the risk of fire is ever present. You may think you don’t need a fire extinguisher at home, but even the smallest mishap can result in a fire if not acted upon quickly and efficiently.
In this blog post, we explore why you need a fire extinguisher in your home, what type you should get, and where best to place it. Let’s dive in…
Why do you need a fire extinguisher at home?
Fire extinguishers are an important safety tool in any home or business. You never know when an accident could result in a fire, and a fire extinguisher can mean the difference between minor damage and a total disaster. A fire extinguisher near potential fire sources, such as outlets and lights, can help put out the fire before it spreads.
Almost 40% of house fires start in the kitchen. Therefore, having a fire extinguisher near the stove and oven, where fat is most likely to ignite, is a must. Another common cause of a fire is faulty wiring.
What you should know about fire
There are several things to consider when choosing the right fire extinguisher for your home. First, however, you should find out what types of fire exist and what threats you need to prevent:
- Type of Fire – All materials and liquids can be divided into two categories: combustible and flammable. Organic materials such as wood, fabric, paper and most plastics are mostly combustible. On the other hand, materials such as paint, solvents and petrol are flammable.
- Size of Fire – The size of the fire will determine what type of extinguisher you should use. There are three types of fires:
- A: Small combustible fires involving materials such as cloth, paper and wood.
- B: Small flammable fires involving materials such as paint and rubber.
- C: Large fires using materials such as gasoline and diesel.
The right fire extinguisher for your home
Now that you know what to expect, you will surely be even more motivated to get a fire extinguisher in your home. Here are some criteria to consider before purchasing:
- Type of Fire Extinguisher – There are three types of fire extinguishers:
- Water extinguishers are most commonly used on Class A and B fires.
- CO2 extinguishers are typically used on class B fires.
- Dry chemical fire extinguishers are most commonly used on Class A and B fires.
- How much water is in the extinguisher – The amount of water in the extinguisher determines how effectively it will put out a fire.
- How Heavy It Is – It can be difficult to lift a heavy fire extinguisher, so keep that in mind.
Where should a fire extinguisher be placed in your home?
The most important thing is that you are prepared. You want to be able to react quickly in the event of a fire. The best way to start is by keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen at home. Kitchen fires are among the most common fires in the home. A good rule of thumb is to have one fire extinguisher on hand for every 100 square feet of kitchen space.
Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen near the stove and another in the pantry or other storage area with combustible materials. Now that you’ve covered the kitchen, you can move on to the other rooms in the house.
Keep a fire extinguisher near each exit and another in the hallways outside of the bedrooms. In addition to the kitchen, the bedrooms and hallways are among the rooms in the home that are particularly at risk. In the bedroom, the fire extinguisher should be kept near the bed. This is important because 26% of fires start in the bedroom.
Keep fire extinguishers near the exits of your home. This also applies to the garage. This allows you to cut off the oxygen supply in an emergency and fight the fire as efficiently as possible.
Conclusion: The perfect fire extinguisher for your home!
A fire extinguisher can be a man’s best friend in an emergency situation. Knowing how to use it and where to place it in the home can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and irreparable damage. When it comes to fire extinguishers, always remember that size does matter. The bigger a fire extinguisher is, the more fire extinguishing capacity it has.
So when choosing a fire extinguisher for home use, make sure you buy a big enough one. Always keep your fire extinguisher in good condition. This includes regularly checking it for damage and making sure it has the correct pressure. Keep your fire extinguisher in a place where it is easily accessible in an emergency. Remember that there are other ways to prevent a fire disaster in your home.
Fire extinguishers at home: 10 things you definitely need to bunker now!
Attention: The next crisis is already imminent. You urgently need to prepare now.