How to Buy a Fire Extinguisher

How to Buy a Fire Extinguisher

A fire can quickly destroy a home. Fires occur for many reasons. A spark in your electrical system can create a life-threatening and fast-moving fire. Your oven may catch on fire. Fires can also start in the garage where flammable liquids are common.

No matter what happens, having a fire extinguisher on hand is essential. Your home insurance agent may want to know one is available. If you do not have one, it is time to consider a purchase.

What You Should Know

There are various types of fire extinguishers. It is a good idea to know the risks around your home. This helps ensure you buy the right fire extinguisher for your needs. For example, if you store gas, oils, or other types of fuel or paint products, you need a more powerful fire extinguisher.

Size Matters

Those that are heavier tend to have more ability to put out a fire. That is because they have more flame retardant in them. This product works faster, too. However, it is generally not a good idea to choose one that is too heavy. Otherwise, you may be unable to easily maneuver it.

What Does It Put Out?

A variety of fire extinguisher styles exist. They have a class rating on them. Class A fire extinguishers are a basic model. They are ideal for putting out fires related to paper or plastic. They can help with wood and trash, too. Class B is the next level up. This type of best for grease fires or fires related to oil. Most homes should consider a Class C fire extinguisher. This type of ideal for an electrical fire. If you want to invest in a quality model, choose a Class ABC model. This handles all types of fires listed here.

Look for a Rating

It is also important to look at the rating on the device. It should have a certification from a nationally-recognized organization or lab. This includes FM, UL, CSA or ETL. If you do not see this notation on the extinguisher, do not buy it.

Home insurance may help to cover the losses from a fire. However, replacing items is never easy. Replacing a loved one after a fire-related death is impossible. For these reasons, avoid having to file a home insurance claim for a fire. Instead, learn how to use a fire extinguisher and keep the right model on hand. It might come in handy and make a potential disaster only a minor inconvenience.