Do you have fire extinguishers in your home? SHOULD YOU?
During the course of a person’s life, you will probably never use a fire extinguisher.
By the same argument you may never have your home’s smoke detector activated.
Safety features such as AFCI Breakers, GFCI outlets, CO Detectors and Smoke Detectors (which I check inspect during my Home Inspections) are required by code for you and your families protection. You may never need them, but given the alternative (the possible life of a loved one) it is a comfort to have them.
Which brings us back to the fire extinguisher, in my home I have two ABC type fire extinguishers one exiting out of my basement and one as I go into the garage. I may never have to use one but it may save my home or a loved one from disaster.
It is important however, if you have fire extinguishers to know how to operate them and keep them maintained. Some fire extinguishers have a pressure gauge built in and the gauge should remain in the green. These can also be refilled or re-pressurized. Fire extinguishers can be purchased from your local home improvement store ranging from $20.00 to $70.00.
In commercial applications fire extinguishers are required to be inspected & re-tagged once a year, so for your home your fire extinguishers should be checked once a year along with the batteries in smoke and CO detectors
In having a fire extinguisher available and caught quick enough you might be able to prevent the loss of your home. Just remember good judgement is curtail in situations such as this, DONT RISK YOUR LIFE!
Always have an escape plan rehearsed by your entire family.
