When it comes to house fire prevention, having a fire extinguisher and knowing how to use it is the first step. Most homeowner's insurance policies cover damages after a fire; however, here are some things to know about fire extinguishers so that you’re prepared to protect your family and your property in the event of a fire.
There were multiple types of fire extinguishers, and most people don’t know which ones do what. This can be a problem if you ever encounter a fire within your home because you obviously want to fight a fire with the right fire extinguisher.
Here is a list of the most common types of residential fires:
Class A: fires fueled by combustibles like paper, cloth, or wood.
Class B: fires fueled by flammable liquids like gas or oil.
Class C: fires started by appliances, wires, or fuses.
Class K: fires fueled by cooking oils, greases, or fats.
Many fire extinguishers are multipurpose and will combat most of the above-mentioned fires. However, it is best to always read the fire extinguisher labels to know what type you are buying and what class of fires it with be able to combat.
As your homeowner's insurance agency, we recommend having a fire extinguisher on each floor of your home or in multiple locations throughout the house. Make sure to place them near potential fire hot spots, like the kitchen, and close to exits. No one wants to go running up and down stairs or even room to room looking for the fire extinguisher in an emergency.
When you buy your fire extinguisher, you want to read the directions and review them yearly to avoid as much panic as possible. Also, remember the acronym “PASS”:
P – Pull fire extinguisher lock pin
A – While standing about 8 feet away, aim at the base of the flames
S – Squeeze the handles together
S – Sweep from side to side at the base of the flames
Always complete annual inspections of your home’s fire extinguishers, make sure the seal or pin isn’t broken, and check the pressure gauge. You should also replace any extinguisher that has been used, damaged, feels very light, or is missing a lock pin.
Even with all the right information and training, some fires are simply too big to battle on your own. Unfortunately, no matter how much you want to protect your home, some fires need to be left to the professionals, and dialing 911 is the best option to keep you and your family safe.
As your homeowner's insurance agency, the best advice we can give you to keep you safe is to remember that if you can’t cover the full base of the fire when you’re sweeping back and forth, drop the extinguisher, get out of the house, and call 911.
Safety is the most important thing when it comes to you and your family, so make sure that you have some peace of mind and obtain homeowners insurance. One of our specialists will be happy to go over all of your policy details, especially what would happen in the event of a fire.