On Hand Necessities - The Fire Extinguisher
They are the number one safety equipment everyone can affordably keep within their reach.
Despite their accessibility, to0 many people don't keep them around.
Furthermore among those that do keep an extinguisher easily accessible only a small percent know how to use it.
This is terrible since they can truly make the difference between averting disaster and experiencing the pain of losing your home, business, possessions, memories, and perhaps even more.
Many people see these products as a bit of a nuisance.
They hold misguided thoughts that water alone will be able to put out any fire situation they encounter.
Many people see extinguishers as being bulky, hard to store, difficult to maintain, and complicated to use.
For these reasons, they don't bother keeping a fire extinguisher in a central location in their home or place of business.
However, the consequences of these ill-informed beliefs can be tragic.
Contrary to popular belief, water is not the answer to every fire situation.
In fact, there certain types of fires that water can actually make worse.
In fact, water is only a reasonable solution to fires that are using wood, paper, or fabrics like cotton as their fuel.
All other types of fires, including gas fires, petrol fires, metal fires, electric fires, and oil fires will suffer any water being added to the blaze.
While it might surprise many people, they are actually five distinct classes of fires and eight different materials found in extinguishers to deal with each unique type of blaze.
Some extinguishers do contain just water, but other more versatile types use powder-based chemicals, carbon dioxide based, or foam to put out fires.
Looking at the wide variety of options available, you may be wondering what type of fire extinguisher is the best choice for your home, apartment, car, or business.
Many trained fire experts note that in ideal situations you actually keep several different types of extinguishers on hand so you can reach for the perfect one at the right moment.
However, as many people find it hard to keep even one available, let alone several, the best choice depends on the nature of your surroundings.
Homes and offices tend to be best protected with powder or foam extinguishers, while industrial sites and cars will be best protected with a carbon dioxide extinguisher.
If you feel most comfortable with a water-based extinguisher, it is strongly recommended that you also purchase a second powder-based extinguisher.
When it comes to a fire extinguisher, you always want to be able to say "I'm so glad I had that" instead of "I wish I had one" in a moment of crisis.
These tools, though insufficient in size to put out a raging inferno, can truly stop serious situations before they develop.
Using an extinguisher on your small or moderate sized accidental blaze can prevent it from growing into a serious threat that can overwhelm your property, your possessions, and your loved ones.
They may seem unwieldy, unattractive and difficult to store, but extinguishers are the hallmark of safety.
Not only will they help you face a bad situation with an effective tool, but they will also provide you with peace of mind and security as you move through your daily life.
If the unexpected does occur, you will be prepared to face it.