The Importance of a Fire Extinguisher in Your Home

Did you know that in 2019, a home fire was reported every 93 seconds in the United States? (NFPA Journal, 2020) Home fires can occur for a variety of reasons, from electrical issues to cooking disasters, to children getting into something they shouldn’t have. It’s estimated that approximately 75% of homeowners have at least 1 fire extinguisher in their home. Keeping a fire extinguisher handy is more important than some people even realize. They can keep the fire from growing, which can protect your home and even save lives. If you’re part of the 25% that do not have a fire extinguisher, we’re here to explain just how important it is. 

Keep Fires from Growing

Fire extinguishers are purposely designed with chemical components that have the ability to control and even eliminate fires. When released, a jet of gas, foam, and other materials are used to prevent flames from growing out of control. If and when a small kitchen fire or flames occur elsewhere in your home, a fire extinguisher can prevent it from growing larger. This can save your home from going up in flames before the fire department is able to arrive. According to UCLA Health, there are 4 different types of fire extinguishers that are designed for different types of fire; Class A is used to control fires from combustible materials, such as paper and wood. Class B is used for fires caused by liquids like gasoline, grease, or oil. Class C is best used for electrical fires. Lastly, Class D is used for putting out fires started by metals. Understanding these different classes can help you choose which fire extinguisher is best to keep handy in certain locations. 

Save Lives

Fires can be extremely dangerous; Nearly 2,620 civilians die every year due to house fires.(NFPA Journal, 2020) A fire extinguisher can help to prevent the fire from spreading, and potentially claiming lives. Having a fire extinguisher can help you and your family have more peace of mind in case of a fire. You’ll want to have a conversation with your family about where the fire extinguishers are kept and have a plan in place in case of an emergency.  

The Best Places to Keep a Fire Extinguisher

While anywhere in your home could be vulnerable to a fire, there are certain spots where it’s particularly important to keep a fire extinguisher. It’s recommended that a fire extinguisher is kept in these places: 

• Kitchen – Since this is where the cooking happens and there may be open flames, it’s especially susceptible to fires. A lot of kitchen activities also include grease, which can be a fire hazard. Keeping a fire extinguisher in reach in the kitchen is always a good idea. 
• Bedroom- While fires might not originate from here, it’s a good idea to have extinguishers handy here, so that if a fire breaks out in the night, you’re ready to go. If the fire has spread while you were asleep, you may not be able to get to the kitchen or other designated areas quickly enough. 
• Potential Fire Hazard Areas- Other particularly hazardous areas, such as rooms with open fireplaces, furnaces, or multiple appliances are also particularly vulnerable to fires. Keeping a fire extinguisher nearby is highly recommended. 

Contact Soil-Away for Fire Damage Restoration in MA, NH & ME

While keeping a fire extinguisher handy can be extremely helpful and effective in preventing some fires from growing large, unfortunately, some fires cannot be controlled altogether with extinguishers. If your home or business experiences fire damage, our team provides restoration services and smoke odor control to restore your space. Soil-Away offers fire damage repair services for residential and commercial locations in MA, NH & ME. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a service.