The Importance of Having a Fire Extinguisher Handy

Everywhere you go, you hear about how it is always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher in your house. You never want to be unprepared if an accident happens. Even though you may call your local fire department for assistance during your time of need, some small fires you can actually put out before they become a much larger problem. It is important to know where you should keep this type of equipment, so if the situation arises, you have access to it right away.
Take a walk around your home and make notes of places where you can store a fire extinguisher that is easily accessible to everyone who lives in the house. Make sure the locations you choose are easily visible as well. Even though they aren't the most attractive type of home décor, do not try to camouflage or hide them with curtains or underneath the cabinets. In the event of an emergency, time is of the essence and the time you spent uncovering a fire extinguisher can mean the difference between getting a small fire under control or it quickly getting out of hand. Some good places to store your equipment are near exits and doorways. They should also be placed no higher than shoulder height, which is approximately five feet off of the ground.
Did you know that the kitchen is the part of the home that is the most susceptible to fires? This is where most of the cooking and food preparation are done, and unfortunately a large majority of house fires start here. That is why it is very important to keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. It may seem like a good idea to keep it near the stove, but if a situation was to occur where you needed to use this piece of equipment, you may have trouble getting it. You could get injured and lose your home in the process. The best place for storage is actually near the entrances and exits of the room.
Two other very important places that often get overlooked are the basement and attic areas. These are areas people tend to use for storage. Some of the items that get stored are very flammable. In the event of an emergency, you can't afford to go looking around for a fire extinguisher to save your treasured possessions. Fires can easily get out of control when there are suitable conditions and combustible items in a secluded area. In addition to extinguishers, you should take extra precautions and place smoke detectors in all of the entrances of your home.
Make sure that in addition to purchasing the right amount of extinguishers for your home, that everyone knows how to properly use them. The better you are prepared to handle the different types of emergency situations in your home, the more you reduce your risks for loss.