What type of fire extinguisher is best for the home?

Author: Prof. Colleen Walter  |  Last update: Thursday, March 20, 2025

When looking for which home fire extinguisher to buy, consider buying an all-purpose or multi-rated extinguisher, labeled "ABC". This means the extinguisher can be used on Class A, B and C fires.

What is the best fire extinguisher to have at home?

An ABC dry chemical extinguisher is the best option for nearly all homes and for use by a lay person. You can buy one at Lowe's, Home Depot, and various hardware stores very easily.

What is the most appropriate type of fire extinguisher in your house kitchen?

Water mist extinguishers are the safest option. Due to their versatility, a water mist fire extinguisher is able to tackle Class A, B, C and electrical fires. This, combined with a wet chemical fire extinguisher, will be enough to keep your kitchen or restaurant safe.

Can you still use a dry powder fire extinguisher?

Standard dry powder fire extinguishers are very versatile and can put out virtually every kind of fire. However, they aren't recommended for use in enclosed spaces. See the link for a full article explaining the correct use of fire extinguishers in confined spaces.

Is ABC fire extinguisher ok for kitchen?

Even though the ABC fire extinguisher may be able to temporarily put out the cooking fire, the class K fire extinguisher with it's wet chemical agent will help make sure it does not reignite.

What Kind of Fire Extinguisher Should I Get for My Home?

When should you not use a ABC fire extinguisher?

It's important to note that while ABC extinguishers are versatile, they are not suitable for fires involving cooking oils and fats (Class K fire extinguishers are suited for this) or combustible metals.

What kind of fire extinguisher is not allowed in the kitchen?

Dry chemical fire extinguishers are not sufficient to put out kitchen fires involving vegetable-based cooking oils, which carry a high risk of re-flash fires. These extinguishers should be removed from the cooking area.

What are the disadvantages of dry powder fire extinguishers?

Reduces visibility when discharged, so consideration required when placing near escape routes, stairwells, etc. May aggravate respiratory conditions when discharged. Limited cooling properties. While Powder is safe for use on electrical fires, it can cause corrosion.

What is the difference between ABC powder and dry powder fire extinguisher?

The answer is that the two terms are largely interchangeable, as most dry powder extinguishers these days are ABC powder extinguishers. To be more precise, the term 'Dry Powder' is the general term for a type of extinguisher whereas ABC powder is the type of powder used in most dry powder extinguishers.

What does a CO2 fire extinguisher put out?

CO2 extinguishers are the extinguisher of choice for electrical fires, but they also work on flammable liquid (class B) fires.

Where is the best place to put a fire extinguisher in your home?

The kitchen and garage are good sites for an extinguisher. However, do not place an extinguisher over the stove or buried in storage in the garage, but rather hang it on the wall no less than 4 inches or greater than 5 feet from the ground.

What does pass stand for?

It's easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you can remember the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Pull the pin.

Is it illegal to not have a fire extinguisher in your house?

Fire extinguishers are required in most commercial, industrial and residential buildings. The only buildings where fire extinguishers are not mandated are family homes.

Should you buy a fire extinguisher for your house?

Should you buy a fire extinguisher? Yes, provided you know when and how to use it. Fire extinguishers can be a small but important part of the home fire safety plan. They can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or suppressing it until the fire department arrives.

What is the leading cause of kitchen fires?

Every year, fire departments respond to more than 170,000 home fires caused by cooking. The top reason for these fires is someone leaving the stove unattended while cooking.

When should you not use a dry powder fire extinguisher?

A dry powder fire extinguisher is not to be used in any of the following situations: Class F fires; cooking fires, such as chip pan fires. Fires that are in enclosed spaces. Fires that involve electrical equipment which is over 1000v.

What kind of fire extinguisher for home?

A common size extinguisher for homes is rated (2A:10B:C). Extinguishers should be installed above the reach of children, away from sources of heat, and near an escape route.

Which is better, ABC or CO2 fire extinguisher?

While ABC extinguishers are versatile and can combat a wide range of fires, CO2 extinguishers are specifically designed for electrical and flammable liquid fires. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the environment and the types of hazards one may encounter.

Can powder fire extinguishers be used indoors?

3 of Part 8 states that powder fire extinguishers should generally not be specified for use indoors, unless mitigated by a health and safety risk assessment. When discharged inside buildings powder extinguishers can create a large cloud of powder in the air.

Is a CO2 fire extinguisher good for a home?

Homes: There's no reason you can't keep a 2kg CO2 fire extinguisher in your home. However, because so many home fires are started by cooking oil in the kitchen, it's not a favourite among homeowners. That being said, a CO2 extinguisher can still be used in any other part of the house, including the garage.

Is a foam or powder fire extinguisher better?

Difference between foam and powder

Powder extinguishers contain a fine powder that forms a layer over the flames and smothers them. A foam extinguisher contains water-based foam that smothers and cools the fire. Foam and powder are generally considered to be equally effective at extinguishing fires.

Which fire extinguisher should you not use?

Water extinguishers should not be used on flammable liquid fires (Class B). The reason for this is that water is denser than most flammable liquids and sinks below them. Instead of smothering the fire, the water can cause the burning liquid to spread, increasing the fire's area and intensity.

What is the number one cause of fire-related deaths?

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke detectors and smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents. Heating is the 2nd leading cause of residential fires and ties with arson as the 2nd leading cause of fire deaths.

What is the best fire extinguisher for a kitchen?

Class K extinguishers are filled with an agent designed to prevent burning grease from splattering and spreading. These types of fire extinguishers are the ones most often found in home kitchens. Since most kitchen fires are small and in a tight area, Class K fire extinguishers use a high-volume, low-velocity spray.

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