In the Spring of 2006 it was almost lunch time when I received a frantic call at work from my wife who was at home. We had just had a kitchen fire.
The night before we made homemade donuts by dipping batter in a pan of hot cooking oil. When we were finished we left the oil on the stove to cool off but forgot about it.
The next morning my wife went to heat up a pan to make some food and forgot that there was oil in the pan. She left the kitchen and was startled to hear the smoke alarm going off.
When she got to the kitchen the stove was ablaze and fire was racing up the wall and onto the ceiling.
My 14 year old son was also home and came running up stairs.
Neither my son or my wife knew where the fire extinguisher was, or if we even had one, so they grabbed some towels and began to put it out with those.
Luckily they had the good sense to know that they shouldn’t throw water on a grease fire.
They were able to get the fire out but there was extensive damage to the kitchen and smoke damage throughout the house.
We had to move into a hotel for two weeks while the restoration company cleaned up the damage.
We were seconds away from losing the entire house.
Why do I need a fire extinguisher (or more than one) in my home?
In 2023 there were 332,000 home fires which resulted in 10,190 injuries and 2890 deaths.
The top causes of these fires were:
-cooking
-heating equipment
-electrical malfunctions
-smoking materials
There are situations where you or a family member can step in and extinguish a fire without having to call the fire department. This can save a lot of money while not having to wait for the fire department but it can also prevent a lot of loss and damage if you are able to extinguish the fire quickly.
You are the protector of your home and family. It is your responsibility to implement this step and teach everyone living in your home (over the age of 8) where they are, when to use them, when not to use them, and how to use them.
How many are needed in a home?
-At least one on each floor of a home + the garage
-Best to keep one in the kitchen as that is where most home fires start
-Need to consider the size of the home and the size of the rooms. If a home is excessively large then more than one on each floor might be necessary.
-If there is more than one kitchen (mother-in-law apartment) then we should have one in each kitchen.
In which rooms should they be located?
-Keep in a central area that is easily accessible.
-One in the garage on whichever level that is on.
-Best to keep one in the kitchen as that is where most home fires start
-If your house has a complex layout, try to keep an extinguisher within about 40 feet of any location in your home.
Where in the room should it be located?
It’s generally best to mount fire extinguishers, rather than leaving them on the floor or kept in the box, to ensure they are readily accessible, prevent damage, and avoid being moved or used inappropriately. They need to be in a spot where someone can see it or generally know where to find it. For example, in the kitchen, a person would likely look in the kitchen sink cabinet.
-In a garage, it is best to hang it out in the open and not in a cupboard.
-Need to think that a non-family member might be the one who is the one looking for the fire extinguisher.
-Place extinguishers on each floor, near exits, and in areas with potential fire hazards.
-Ensure extinguishers are easily accessible and not blocked by furniture or stored in hard-to-reach locations.
-Mount them above the reach of children, away from heat sources, and near escape routes.
What type of fire extinguisher is recommended for a home?
Class A Fires: These involve ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, and many plastics.
Class B Fires: These involve flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, and grease.
Class C Fires: These involve electrical fires, where the electrical source needs to be shut off before using the extinguisher.
Class K Fires: These involve fires in cooking appliances and cooking oil.
ABC Extinguishers: These are designed to tackle all three classes of fires (A, B, and C) and are the most common type for home use.
Maintenance: Regularly check your fire extinguisher for signs of damage or low pressure and ensure it’s in a readily accessible location.
Consider a kitchen-specific extinguisher: While ABC extinguishers are versatile, you might consider a Class K extinguisher for kitchen fires involving cooking oil.
UL Certification: Always look for a fire extinguisher that is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL Solutions, CSA, FM Approvals, and ETL.
Can an ABC extinguisher be used on a cooking oil fire?
While ABC fire extinguishers are versatile, they are not the best choice for cooking oil fires, and a Class K extinguisher is recommended instead. Class K extinguishers are specifically designed for fires involving cooking oils and fats.
-How long until they need to be replaced?
Most fire extinguishers, including ABC types, have a recommended service life of 5 to 15 years, depending on the manufacturer and regulatory guidelines. We would recommend writing on the extinguisher in large numbers when it expires.
-Do I need a fire extinguisher in my car?
Yes, it is highly recommended to carry a fire extinguisher in your car as it can be a crucial safety tool in the event of a vehicle fire, allowing you to potentially contain a small fire before it becomes major and potentially save yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle from significant damage; just make sure to choose a type specifically designed for automotive use and store it in an easily accessible location like under the seat or in the trunk.
Also, it may not be your car that is on fire. You might be able to step in and help someone else whose car is on fire.
-Where is a good place to purchase them?
Home improvement stores like Lowes or Home Depot. Also on Amazon.com. Here is a link to three different types that we recommend.
-How do I train my family on how to use them?
When operating a fire extinguisher, tell residents to remember the word PASS:
–Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
–Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
–Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
–Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
-How big of an extinguisher do I need?
General Home Use:
A 5-pound ABC extinguisher is a good starting point for most rooms, including kitchens, living areas, and bedrooms.
Kitchen:
While a 5-pound extinguisher is generally sufficient, consider a 2.5-pound or 5-pound ABC model specifically for the kitchen, ensuring it’s easily accessible and not stored under the sink.
Garage/Workshop:
Due to the potential for flammable liquids and materials, a larger 10-pound or even 20-pound extinguisher is recommended for garages and workshops.
-Do extinguishers need to be serviced?
Yes. Monthly Visual Inspections:
Conduct a quick visual check each month to ensure the extinguisher is in its designated location, accessible, and free from obvious damage.
Annual Professional Inspections:
Have a certified professional inspect the extinguisher annually to check its pressure, condition, and functionality.
Taking your extinguishers to a fire safety specialist helps ensure you have a fire defense system at the ready. If you prefer a fire safety specialist to come to your home, he or she can examine your fire extinguishers and make additional fire safety recommendations, too. A thorough fire preparedness inspection brings homeowners incredible peace of mind.
A professional fire protection company has the proper tools and training to ensure your extinguishers will function well during an emergency. The government mandates that businesses have their units checked annually. Don’t you want the same level of protection for your family? If your extinguishers pass, the professionals will provide a dated inspection tag. If they don’t pass, repair or replace them.
-Is there any type of fire where I wouldn’t use my extinguisher?
Class D Fires (Metal):
Fires involving combustible metals are Class D fires. These are rare in the home, but if you encounter one, a specialized dry chemical extinguisher is needed.
-Do I call the fire department before I use my extinguisher?
It depends . . .
Help people decide when to use a fire extinguisher
Consider providing a checklist to help people prepare to use a fire extinguisher. For example:
-Have I alerted others in the building that there is a fire?
-Has someone called the fire department?
-Am I physically able to use a fire extinguisher?
-Young children and older adults should not use fire extinguishers.
-Is the fire small and contained in a single object or to a surface (like a pan or a wastebasket)?
-Am I safe from the fire’s toxic smoke?
-Do I have a clear escape route?
Use a fire extinguisher when all of these questions are answered “yes.” If you’re unsure about whether it is safe to use a fire extinguisher, and for all other situations, alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone.
General Safety Precautions:
-Don’t approach a fire if it’s spreading rapidly or if you are unsure of the fire type.
-Ensure you have a clear escape path .
-If the fire is too large or dangerous, evacuate and call emergency services
Fire extinguishers can save lives, minimize damage, and provide peace of mind—making them a critical tool for every home and car.
Additional Resources:
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/
–https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-10-standard-development/10
https://www.fireline.com/how-many-home-fire-extinguishers-do-you-need/
https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/home-improvement/how-many-fire-extinguishers/