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The recent fires in London remind us that fire is one of the biggest dangers during a heat wave.
Fire is also a potential threat to your home and family. The dry weather can make it easier for fires to start and spread, so it’s essential to be prepared. As temperatures rise, so do the chances of fires breaking out in our homes and offices.
More than 40% of home fires occur during the summer months, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), making this time of year one of the most dangerous for your family and property.
Fire extinguishers are essential equipment for any household and should be stored in easy-to-reach locations throughout your home.
But what exactly are they? How do they work? And how can you use them effectively when the time comes?
Protect your household against fire hazards
Every household should have at least one fire extinguisher. It can, in most cases, prevent a small fire from spreading before the fire department arrives at the scene, thus saving lives and property from damage caused by larger fires.
- Extinguishers are designed to put out small fires before they get out of control.
- They are also portable, so you can move them around the house as needed.
However, they will only be effective in limiting fire spread if they are easily accessible in an emergency.
Know your fire extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are a must in every home and any other place with a fire hazard.
They’re relatively cheap and easy to find, but their usefulness depends on you knowing how to use them safely and effectively.
Before you can use your fire extinguisher, you need to know what type of extinguisher it is.
I know at least eight types of fire extinguishers on the market. Still, for the home, an extinguisher with an ABC classification is ideal since it is acceptable for use with fires involving ordinary combustibles (class A), flammable liquids (class B), and electrical…
