What Is the Best Kind of Fire Extinguisher for Your Home?

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared to stop a fire before it spreads can be the difference between a great fire restoration job and a quick cleanup.

What Type Of Fire Extinguisher Is Best For Your Home?

The chance of a fire occurring in your home in North Naples, FL, is higher than you’d think. Being prepared to stop a fire in its tracks before it has chance the spread can be the difference between a big fire restoration job and a quick cleanup. One great tool in combatting fires is a fire extinguisher. Use this guide to help determine which extinguisher is best for your home.

Extinguisher Classification

The first step in choosing the best extinguisher to prevent a home fire is understanding how they are classified. Extinguishers used in homes are labeled depending on what types of fires they are effective at fighting. Here are the most common ones you’ll see:

• Class A: used in fires caused by wood, paper, plastic, and textiles
• Class B: put out flammable liquid fires
• Class C: Used if a fire that is caused by a live electrical source
• Class A-B-C: Can be used on any of the fires that a Class A, B, or C extinguisher can put out

UL Rating System

Apart from an alphabetical classification system, each fire extinguisher has a numerical rating on the label. For this rating system, the higher the number the more effective the extinguisher. An A rating reveals how many gallons of water it is equivalent to, and the B rating reveals how many square feet the extinguisher can cover.

Disposable or Rechargeable

Extinguishers come in either disposable or rechargeable models. While disposable models are cheaper initially, rechargeable extinguishers are cheaper in the long run.

Sizing Options

There are four main options when choosing what size fire extinguisher you need:

• Two Pound: For the car
• Five Pound: For the laundry room
• Ten Pound: For the garage
• Stove-Top: For the kitchen

Practice fire preparedness in your home by getting a fire extinguisher! Pay attention to the label before you buy it, consider your budget, and choose the size that’s ideal for the location you’re putting it in.