Fire Safety in 60 Seconds

A house fire starts every 88 seconds in the US

….that’s 350k fires per year.

...42% of those are from cooking.

Different types of fire extinguishers are for different types of fires. And different sizes of extinguishers that will enable you to fight different-sized fires.  Keep in mind you're not trying to fight an inferno with a fire extinguisher. The goal of having an extinguisher handy is to make quick work of a small fire quickly.

As it pertains to fire extinguishers, fires are classified into 5 distinct letter symbols, which will be listed on any extinguisher that you buy.

A = Good for Paper, wood, clothes

B = Good for use on flammable liquids like rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, lighter fluid or aerosol cans.

C = Good for use on electrical equipment, like you’d find in your electrical room, laundry room, etc

D = Use on Combustible metals, You may find these in a household workshop if you’re building things, but more likely in an industrial environment.  These require special chemicals such as powders or foams to put out as water may react violently with some burning metals.

K = Use on Combustible cooking media, such as vegetable or animal fats and oils

Most water based extinguishers will suffice for your home unless you have special circumstances. You'll be looking for an extinguisher that can handle A,B,C & K.   

It’s always a good idea to have multiple extinguishers around the house in the most, at-risk areas….such as:

• The kitchen - this is the #1 room where fires start and the most likely place is the stove top.

• Laundry room

• Electrical room

• Anywhere you have a space heater

• Any room where you have a fireplace

If you use candles or Smoke you are more at risk.

You can see where I have my Fire extinguishers placed around my house 'here'.