Sam Crudgington

Each year there are around 60,000 house fires in the UK alone, resulting in the loss of property and in some cases lives. Property can always be replaced but lives cannot. It is important you have the right equipment on hand to deal with a fire and that your fire extinguisher maintenance and fire extinguisher inspection is up to date. This is not only to ensure your own safety but also to protect the lives of those around you. But it is even more important that you know what they can/cannot be used on.

Water Extinguishers

These are good for putting out flames on carpets and soft furnishing. However, they are dangerous when used on flammable liquids or cooking fats. They are a good device to have in the bedroom or living room, especially if you smoke indoors!

Foam Extinguishers fire extinguisher maintenance and inspection total Safe UK Fire Safety Services South East

These are effective on woods, flammable liquids and petrol, but not on kitchen or electrical fires. This makes them a handy device for your garage.

CO2 Extinguishers

These fire extinguishers are best effective on flammable liquids and electrical fires but are unsuitable for cooking fats or soft furnishings.

Dry Powder Extinguishers

These units can be used on the widest range of fires in the home making them a popular extinguisher of choice for people’s homes. However, it cannot be used on kitchen fires involving cooking fats and oils. It is a good device for living areas or garages. Don’t forget; you would still need a separate device for the kitchen.

Wet Chemical Extinguishers

These fire extinguishers are safe to use on soft furnishings and cooking fat fires, yet hazardous when brought into contact with electrical or flammable gases and liquids. It is good for the living room and kitchen but would be unsuitable in the garage.

The best thing to do when thinking about fire safety equipment for your home is to assess the areas of your homes to see whether the greatest potential risks of fires occurring are. You can then keep the appropriate devices in an easily accessible place nearby.

A wet chemical extinguisher in the kitchen with a fire blanket, and a dry powder device in the garage, for example, would pair together nicely as invaluable tools for saving your home, and ultimately your life, in case of a potential house fire.

Find our about keeping your fire extinguisher maintenance and inspections up to date with Total Safe UK.