Home Fire Safety For First Time Home Buyers Part 1 of 12 Fire Extinguishers

Home Fire Safety For First Time Home Buyers Part 1 of 12 Fire Extinguishers, seen that a home, just might be the biges purchase you and your family dose. So you should know about Home Fire Safety. This blog 12 part series will help you. Theres a link to each post, on the post before the next one.

The first things to remember. Is to be sure everyone in the home has left, or is leaving your home. And be sure the Fire Department has been called, before you ever begin to fight a small fire. I repeat fight a small fire!

Don't ever fight a fire yourself if: The fire is spreading fast or if its already has became a large fire.
 
The fire could end up blocking your escape route, your family needs you to be around.

Your not trained in the proper operation of your home fire extinguisher.

If you don't know for sure the extinguisher is designed for the type of fire at hand, or if its large enough to fight the fire. 

Home Fire Safety For First Time Home Buyers Part 1 of 12 Fire Extinguishers, for a fire even to exist it requies the following items.

Oxygen, heat, a source of ignition, fuel, and the chemical reaction of fire.

In order to put out a fire in your home, you'll need to remove at least one of those items from the equation.

How do you what fire extinguisher you should use? Will that really depends on the classification of the type of fuel that is burning.

Your home fire extinguishers will display on their casing just what class of fire you can safely use them on.

Water extinguishers, can be used on a class A fire only. Those are trash, wood, and paper fires. Do not ever use this kind of extinguisher on a flammable liquid that is already on fire, or near any kind of spilt or open containers of flammable liquid. Water will spread a flammable liquid and cause the fire to become larger. You also never want to use it on electrical equipment thats still connected to the home's power.

Carbon Dioxide extinguishers, these are filled with highly pressurized carbon dioxide, known as CO2. its a non-flammable gas and does not conduct electricity. Because of ice may form at, and fly from the horn. This extinguisher is going to displace the oxygen and will cool the fuel as well. This kind of extinguisher is suitable for class B and class C fires only. Not recommended for use on someone that might be on fire. It can cause frost bite, chemical burns, and also death if inhaled.

A Dry Chemical extinguisher, is usual recommended for class A,B, and C fires. But also be aware some are only rated for class B and C fires. This extinguisher puts out a fine dust/powder that coats the fuel, so the fire can't get oxygen. The powder also works to interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire. This is why you should be sure to aim at the base of the fire, where the fuel is, if you don't do so will mean it will be totally ineffective. Theres also an optimal diswtance from the nozzle to the fuel for best coverage. If you stand too close to the fire and you could, very well waste the powder and run out before your able to cover all the burning fuel. If you stand too far away and the powder will be way too thin to be effective.

Home Fire Saftey For First Time Home Buyers Part 1 of 12 Fire Extinguishers, before you rush out to invest in any fire extinguishers for your home. There are somethings to consider, like where you need them. Where in your home are fires most likely to start? What kind of fire would be most likely? As we talked about above, not all extinguishers work on all kinds of fires.

You can discuss your needs with your local Fire Department. They are always willing to help folks choose the best kind of extinguisher for your home. Be sure to select an extinguisher which can be easily handled by all members of your family.

Keep your extinguishers in a handy location. The best location in most situations is just inside a door or entrance area, but keep them out of the reach of small kids. Do your best to avoid locating your extinguishers right next to where a fire might start. Smoke, heat, or flames from a fire just might keep you from being able to reaching the extinguisher. Be sure all member of your family, knows where all the fire extinguishers are located and how to use them.

Be sure to purchase extinguishers that are listed by a nationally accepted testing laboratory, such as Underwriter's Laboratories UL or Factory Mutual FM. Extinguishers that are rated ABC are effective on most kind of fires.    

Link to Home Fire Safety For Fire Time Home Buyers Part 2 of 12 Spirit of Fire Got Mad

Post 639 - 10 Dec. 2009