| Fire extinguishers can be an important piece | | | | have a contractor lined up who will come and |
| of safety equipment in your home or your | | | | look at your model and make sure it is in |
| business, provided you use them properly. | | | | good working order. Nothing would be more |
| Many consumers do not realize that the type | | | | devastating than having the way to put out a |
| of extinguisher they use is important. You | | | | flame, only to find that it does not work |
| cannot simply buy one and set it in your | | | | when you need it to. |
| home. Using the wrong one for the type of | | | | |
| flame you have could cause the flames to | | | | You also need to know how to use the |
| spread even farther. | | | | extinguisher when needed. While all of them |
| | | | have instructions printed on the side, the |
| There are three classes that these products | | | | moment when you are facing a blaze is not the |
| fall into that are based on the source of the | | | | time to start reading. Look at the product |
| flame. Class A models are for flames that are | | | | and see if you can figure out how to use it. |
| caused paper, fabric, fiberglass, wood, | | | | You may want to have a professional come to |
| plastic, and other common household items. | | | | your home or business and show you exactly |
| This one cannot be used on chemical flames. | | | | how to activate the fireproofing chemicals |
| That requires a Class B model. Class B models | | | | inside. This way you know you are ready if |
| can also put out gasoline, oil, and grease | | | | you should ever need to use it. |
| flames. Electrical flames require a Class C | | | | |
| model. Some models combine the different | | | | When choosing professionals to help you with |
| classes into one product, which is great to | | | | your fire extinguishers, it is important to |
| have at home when you never know what will | | | | make the choice carefully. Anyone could come |
| cause a flame. Sometimes knowing which model | | | | to your business and pretend to look over |
| to use in your home or business requires the | | | | your equipment and charge you a high fee for |
| advice of a qualified professional. | | | | this "service." Since you are not an |
| | | | inspector, you would not know the difference. |
| Another aspect of installing fire | | | | You need to find people with a license to |
| extinguishers that many consumers overlook is | | | | inspect your equipment. This way you know |
| the fact that they have to be serviced and | | | | that you are indeed working with someone who |
| inspected. These products can stop working | | | | is doing what they say they will do. |
| even if they are being not used. You must | | | | |