The Best Type of Fire Extinguisher for Your Home
Different Class Types of Home Fire Extinguishers
Taking the proper steps to prepare your home and family for a fire will help keep them safe in an emergency situation. Part of this preparation includes investing in the best fire extinguishers for your home that can be used in the case of an emergency. First Alert wants to make it easy for you to pick the proper home fire extinguisher to help protect your family.
Different Extinguishers for Different Fires
When it comes to home fire extinguishers, there's a variety of class types to choose from, and each type is ideal for different kinds of fires. Fire extinguishers are broken down into the following classes:
Class A Fire Extinguisher
These fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires of ordinary combustible materials such as firewood, plastic, cloth and paper. Class A extinguishers will serve you best if you keep them near a fireplace.
Class B Fire Extinguisher
Use a Class B extinguisher when the fire's fuel source is a combustible gas or liquid such as gasoline, ethanol or propane. These flames can burn out quickly if the fuel source is removed, but they can also spread fast. Keep this type of fire extinguisher in places like your garage, workshop or shed.
Class C Fire Extinguisher
These extinguishers are designed to put out electrical fires. Until the electrical source is cut off, the fire can continue to burn. Be aware that water cannot put out an electrical fire and doing so may lead to electrocution.
Class D Fire Extinguisher
This fire extinguisher class type is ideal for flammable metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium (NFPA).
Which Class Type of Fire Extinguisher Should You Choose for Your Home?
It can be difficult to think about the best fire extinguisher for your home and where best to store it. When looking for which home fire extinguisher to buy, consider buying an all-purpose or multi-rated extinguisher, labeled "ABC". This means the extinguisher can be used on Class A, B and C fires. In terms of the number of home fire extinguishers you should have, try to have at least one per floor, so you have it available in case of an emergency. Fire extinguishers should also be kept in the kitchen and garage. It is important that you also know when the fire cannot be contained. Fire extinguishers are only one part of a fire response plan, but the most important thing is to escape safely.