Although prevention is always better than cure regarding fires, there may come a time when you have to face one. If this happens then it is essential to have the best equipment for dealing with it at hand and also know how to use it effectively. A fire safety extinguisher is one of the simplest pieces of gear to tackle small fires. It is important to note that you should only use the fire extinguisher if the fire is manageable, if it develops then you need to leave the area immediately and contact the fire brigade. Here we will look at the four types of fire safety extinguisher and also provide some tips on how to use them.

Fire safety extinguishers generally come in three forms: foam, powder and water. Remember, no single fire safety extinguisher is useful on all types of fires of which there are six classifications. Water and foam fire extinguishers are generally used for Class A fires (solids like wood, paper and plastic). However only foam extinguishers should be used for Class B fires (flammable liquids like paraffin, petrol and oil). While foam is more effective than water, it still shouldn’t be sprayed on electrical fires.

Dry Powder is effective on the same types of fire as foam and water and is also excellent for Class C fires which involve flammable gases. However, take great care if trying to put out gas fires. Ensure that the gas supply has been isolated, though in this instance it is much better to let the fire brigade deal with it. A Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher is the best choice when dealing with Class E fires involving electrical equipment. The danger with CO2 is that is has no post fire security. This means that there is no guarantee that the fire will not re-ignite after using the extinguisher. For Class D fires, a special fire safety extinguisher that involves sodium chloride is used, and a wet chemical fire safety extinguisher is used for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fat.

All extinguishers are colour coded with red meaning the substance used is water, cream means foam, blue equals dry powder and black means CO2. The best extinguisher for the home or office are the multi-purpose dry powder models which are designed for ease of use. Before using the apparatus, ensure that you are familiar with and have read all the instructions. Buy one that is light and easy to carry (and therefore to use) and leave it in a place where it is easily accessible for adults but not children, such as being fixed to a wall. Be sure to have it serviced annually and always stay near your escape route when you are using it.

Fire safety and extinguishers go hand in hand, and buying one for your home or office will give you an extra weapon against fires. Water is not really of much use with dry powder probably the best material against fires. If a fire does start and you feel you are losing the fight to put it out, then you need to leave the building and allow the fire brigade to do its job.