Choosing a Fire Extinguisher

Below are minimum recommendations for the home from the National Fire Protection Association.

• Step 1: Choose primary extinguishers for your home. These include solutions for your living area and garage or workshop, and they're pieces of equipment that you absolutely must have according to the NFPA.

○ Living area - For your main home protection, install a 2-A; 10-B:C rated living area unit on every level of your home. No more than 40 feet apart. Class A-B-C.

○Garage/Workshop - Due to volumes of flammable liquids in the garage, you should install a higher-rated unit such as the 3-A:40B-C Garage/Workshop unit. Class A-B-C

• Step 2: Choose supplementary extinguishers for your kitchen and areas with a higher likelihood of electrical equipment fires. These are not required, but are highly recommended.

○ Kitchen - The kitchen is the likeliest place you will have a fire. Protect your home with a 71 1A extinguisher in the kitchen area.

○ Electrical - ldeal for tackling fires involving energized electrical equipment with a rating of 1-A: 1O-B:C. Class B-C

How to Use Fire Extinguishers

Stand 5 feet away from the fire and follow the four-step PASS procedure recommended by the National Fire Protection Association:

• P - Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.

• A - When aiming, be sure to aim low and focus directly at the base of the fire.

• S - Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly to discharge the extinguishing agent. (When the agent first hits the fire, the fire may briefly flare up. This should be expected.

• S - Sweep the nozzle from side to side, moving carefully toward the fire. Keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire.