The Importance of Fire Extinguishers

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

Fire extinguishers- we all know of them and their use, but how useful are they, really, if we don’t have them or know how to use them?

A fire extinguisher, by definition, is a portable device that discharges a jet of water, foam, gas, or other material to extinguish a fire. So why can we not just rely on a bucket of water to extinguish a fire? Well, say a grease fire erupts in your kitchen. Water will not put out this fire, but only make it worse, which is why it is crucial to have a foam-based extinguisher close by. A fire extinguisher spreads the foam at a much quicker, more concentrated rate than a bowl or bucket of water, thus making it safer and more effective in your home.

Although fire extinguishers are great things to have in your home, they can make a situation even more dangerous if placed in the wrong hands.  Fighting an electrical fire with a water-based extinguisher, for example, could give you an electric shock, which does not solve the problem, but only creates a new, much bigger safety issue. If you look back to one of our earlier blogs (Fire Extinguisher Tips & Tricks), you will see how to properly use a fire extinguisher and a few handy tips for using one. Having a fire extinguisher in your home and knowing how to use one could be the difference between life and death.