Quick! Where's Your Fire Extinguisher?

That's a question I hope you never need to answer.  It begs another question, do you even own a fire extinguisher?  And is it the right one for the job?  Let's face it, accidents happen and some of the most destructive accidents can involve accidental fires.  No, you aren't going to extinguish a chimney fire with a fire extinguisher, but you will probably be able to prevent small fires spreading, such as the curtain which was ignited by the candle flame.  Prevention is always the best way but preparation for emergencies is also important.  Having several fire extinguishers throughout your home is a good idea.  In some cases, it may even be required by your home owners insurance policy. 

There are different types of fire and therefore different types of extinguishers and knowing which one is the right one for the situation is vital. The most common fires in the home are Classes A, B or C.  A Class A fire involves combustible materials such as wood, paper, and certain plastics.  Class B involves flammable liquids such as grease, kerosene, gasoline or oil.  Class C fires are electrical fires such as computer equipment, outlets, appliances or circuit breakers.

APW or air-pressurized water extinguishers should only be used on Class A fires.  Using water on an electrical fire can result in deadly electrical shock.  Using water on a grease fire can cause it spread.  Dry chemical extinguishers come in several variations which are filled with dry chemicals or foam and pressurized with nitrogen. BC extinguishers are filled with sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate.  The residue left behind is mildly corrosive and needs to be removed immediately afterwards to prevent surface damage.  ABC extinguishers contain a yellow foam made from mono-ammonium phosphate. This leaves behind a sticky residue that could be damaging to computers or electronic equipment. CO2 extinguishers discharge highly pressurized carbon dioxide which blasts away the oxygen a fire needs to burn.  This type causes the least amount of damage to electronic or electrical equipment but is rarely enough to fully extinguish Class A or B fires.

Of course, owning working fire extinguishers is only part of the overall safety picture. Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is an absolute must in any home.  Change the batteries every six months and test them once a month.  Replace non-working or aging smoke detectors immediately.  Fires strike without warning and detectors can save your life.