3 Things to Know About Fire Extinguishers

Every fire extinguisher is the same right? Wrong! They all will put out fire but did you know that there are a lot of differences in which fire extinguisher you choose for your home? Consider these 3 things to know about fire extinguishers in order to keep your home safe from needing fire damage cleanup services:

Different Types

There are multiple types of fire extinguishers depending on what kind of fire occurs. Water extinguishers are usually used to fight Class A fires that occur in a building fire where wood or textiles are the main accelerant. Foam extinguishers are used on those fires that involve diesel or petrol. Powder extinguishers are used on multi-purpose fires that could include a wide range of accelerants. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are used in places that have a lot of electrical equipment while wet chemical extinguishers are used on fires involving cooking oils.

Different Use Times

There are also different sizes of fire extinguishers. Not every fire extinguisher will be large enough to hold the right amount of material needed to put out a fire. When purchasing a fire extinguisher make sure to check the label on the recommended room size that it is rated for. Remember that many home fire extinguishers are meant to provide enough firefighting protection in order to provide a safe passage way but aren’t meant to completely extinguish a home fire.

Know How to PASS

Make sure that everyone in your home knows how to properly use a fire extinguisher. A good way to remember the steps is to PASS: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle, Squeeze the lever slowly, Sweep from side to side. Teach older children and adults in your home how to do this in order to prevent a home fire. Doing so can help lessen the need for fire damage cleanup services if the fire extinguisher was used properly.

Protect your home by purchasing the right fire extinguisher for each area of your home. Place fire extinguishers throughout your house while making them easily accessible in the event of a fire. Contact ServiceMaster of Charleston if your home does encounter a fire that would require important fire damage cleanup services.