This guide will help you choose the best fire extinguisher for your home.
Important Safety Warning
If a fire spreads and fills a room with smoke, do not attempt to put it out. Leave immediately, close the doors behind you, alert others, evacuate to safety, and call 999.
Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher
Powder extinguishers were once considered a universal solution, but experts now advise against using them indoors. When discharged, they release a cloud of fine particles that reduce visibility and cause breathing difficulties. For this reason, we do not recommend powder extinguishers inside your home.
Kitchen
Kitchens pose multiple fire hazards, including combustible materials (Class A), flammable liquids (Class B), cooking oils and fats (Class F), and electrical appliances. Gas cookers and hobs al
so present the risk of flammable gas fires (Class C). Since no single extinguisher covers all these risks, selecting the right one is crucial.
A Home Fire Extinguisher with water mist technology offers the best solution for kitchen fires. It effectively puts out solid combustibles, flammable liquids, and gases while als
o handling small cooking oil fires*. Safe for use on live electrical equipment, it leaves no residue or damage. A 1- or 3-litre water mist extinguisher provides excellent protection.
For deep fat fryers, a small 2-litre wet chemical extinguisher is ideal. Originally designed for commercial kitchens, it works well but may not be suitable for other
fire types.
*Note: Avoid using water mist on fires larger than a 5F rating (about the size of a domestic deep fat fryer).
Home Office
Fires in a home office typically start from solid combustibles like furniture, carpets, and paper or from electrical malfunctions in devices such as computers. Unattended cigarettes or dropped ash also pose risks.
A water mist Home Fire Extinguisher provides the best protection, tackling all common fire risks without leaving a mess.
If a lithium-ion battery in a laptop overheats or smolders, pour plenty of water on it to cool it down. Move it outside if possible. Once ignited, lithium batteries are nearly impossible to extinguish, so avoid leaving laptops charging unattended.
Living Room
Living rooms contain several fire hazards, including soft furnishings, curtains, electrical devices, and fireplaces. A 3- or 6-litre water mist extinguisher offers comprehensive protection, even against gas and solid fuel fires.
For rooms without gas fires, foam or water extinguishers also work well.
Garage / Workshop / Shed
Powder extinguishers remain the best and most affordable option for garages, workshops, and sheds. They handle solid combustibles (Class A), flammable liquids (Class B), flammable gases (Class C), and electrical fires. However, they create significant cleanup challenges and can reduce visibility in confined spaces.
If you store large amounts of flammable liquids, such as petrol or oil, foam or powder extinguishers are the best choice.
Car / Caravan / Motorhome
For engine fires, a powder extinguisher works best to put out fuel leaks or engine flames. If smoke appears under the bonnet, slightly lift it and discharge the extinguisher. Never fully open the bonnet, as the fire could flare up and cause injury.
For living areas in caravans and motorhomes, a water mist Home Fire Extinguisher provides superior protection. Keep one extinguisher in the towing vehicle and another in the caravan or motorhome for quick access during emergencies.
Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are ideal for kitchen fires, especially deep fat or oil fires. They can also smother small bin fires or wrap around someone whose clothing has caught fire.
To use a fire blanket, carefully place it over the flames to cut off oxygen. Fire cannot burn without oxygen. If dealing with a deep container of hot oil, turn off the heat source and leave the blanket in place until the oil cools completely. Removing it too soon can cause re-ignition.
When buying a fire blanket, look for a CE mark and a Kitemark or other reputable certification (EN 1869). Low-quality fire blankets without proper certification may fail to extinguish a fire and could make the situation worse.
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Replacement
Fire extinguishers have a limited lifespan and should be replaced when they expire. Most extinguishers last between 5 to 15 years, depending on the type and manufacturer guidelines. Check the pressure gauge regularly; if the needle falls into the red zone, replace or recharge the extinguisher immediately. Also, inspect for signs of damage, corrosion, or leakage. Keeping your extinguisher in good working condition ensures it will function properly in an emergency.
By selecting the right fire safety equipment, you can stop small fires before they turn into disasters. Regularly check your Home Fire Extinguisher and other safety tools to ensure they are in good condition and ready for use.
