December 2006

Fire Extinguisher 101

Every home kitchen should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. “It should be mounted where it’s visible,” says Oconee County Fire Chief Bruce Thaxton “but not near the stove. If the stove’s on fire, you may not be able to reach it.”

Not all fire extinguishers are made to fight all fires. Using the wrong extinguisher can even make the situation worse.

Class A-for use on fires from ordinary combustibles, like wood or paper. This extinguisher is water-filled, making it inappropriate for grease or electrical fires.

Class B-for use on flammable liquid fires, like oil, gasoline or grease.

Class C- for use on electrical fires. The agent inside this extinguisher is electrically non-conductive.

Most fire extinguishers designed for consumer use have multiple ratings and can be used on different types of fires. A multi-class unit (A-B-C) is the best for home protection.

More information: fire-extinguisher101.com

<back>