Fire Extinguishers at Home
A home fire extinguisher can stop a small fire before it spreads, but only if it’s the right type, you can reach it fast, and you know when to use it and when to just get out. Your first job in any fire is getting everyone out safely.
- Homeowners
- Tenants
Choosing an extinguisher
- For most homes, a multipurpose ABC extinguisher works on ordinary materials (A), flammable liquids (B) and electrical fires (C).
- Look for a label from a testing lab such as UL, and a rating such as 2-A:10-B:C. Bigger numbers mean more firefighting power.
- Choose one you can lift and use easily. A 5-pound unit is a good size for most adults; 10-pound units are better for garages and workshops.
- Rechargeable extinguishers have metal valves; disposable ones often have plastic valves and must be replaced after use.
Where to keep them
- At least one on every level of the home
- In or near the kitchen, but not right next to the stove, where a fire would block it
- In the garage and workshop
- Mounted near an exit so you can grab it on the way and still have a way out
Fight or get out?
Use an extinguisher only if all of these are true:
- Everyone else is leaving or already out, and someone is calling 911
- The fire is small and not spreading, about the size of a wastebasket
- The room isn’t filling with smoke
- Your back is to a clear exit
- You have the right extinguisher and know how to use it
If any answer is no, get out, close the door behind you, and call 911 from outside. See Home Fire Escape Plans.
Using it: PASS
- Pull the pin.
- Aim low, at the base of the fire, not the flames.
- Squeeze the handle slowly and evenly.
- Sweep side to side until the fire is out.
Start about 6 to 10 feet away. Most home extinguishers run out in about 10 seconds or less, so don’t waste it. Watch for the fire flaring up again, and have the fire department check it even if it seems out.
Kitchen grease fires
- Never pour water on a grease fire. It can explode into a fireball.
- Don’t carry a burning pan outside.
Slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pan and turn off the heat. For an oven fire, turn it off and keep the door closed. See Kitchen Safety.
Monthly check
- Gauge needle in the green
- Pin and tamper seal in place
- No dents, rust or cracked hose
- Easy to reach, not blocked
- Replace or recharge after any use, even a short one
Many disposable extinguishers should be replaced after about 10 to 12 years; check the manufacturer’s label.
Standards & references
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