For day 3 of Fire Prevention Week, our topic will be the importance of fire extinguishers within your home. The importance of having fire extinguishers in your home is basic common knowledge, but in our experience the average homeowner's knowledge about fire extinguishers usually ends there. Yes, the basics of having an ABC extinguisher, which will put out the 3 main types of fire you will encounter, is of the utmost importance. But, we have some questions for you to ask yourself.

Did you know fire extinguishers have an average life expectancy? Extinguishers usually only have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, with the basic 2.5 lb kitchen extinguisher you probably have sitting under your kitchen sink right now having a recommendation of replacement every 10 years. It has come as a shock to many when their kitchen catches fire and the little extinguisher that has been pushed to the back of the cabinet over 15 years or more does not work when they are in dire need.

Another little bit of information most are unaware of when it comes to fire extinguishers is that they should be inspected on a regular basis. Although it is recommended to inspect fire extinguishers monthly, even if the average homeowner inspected them every time they changed the batteries in their detectors, we would all be ahead of the game. So to give you something extra to think about, when you change your clocks change your batteries AND check your extinguishers.

How can you check your extinguishers? There are 5 quick easy steps to making sure your fire extinguisher is ready when you need really need it in an emergency:

Step 1: Is It Accessible
Make sure there is nothing blocking your access to the extinguisher, such as it being pushed to the back of the cabinet under the kitchen sink for the cleaning products you use more frequently. The amount of times we have walked into a home with a kitchen fire and saw the economy bottle of dish soap thrown across the floor with some window cleaner, scrub brushes, and Ajax tells us exactly what happened. Don't let an important life-saving device in case of fire be an afterthought.

Step 2: Check the Tag.
A great way to keep tabs on its upkeep is by reviewing the inspection tag. This tag will usually be hanging around the neck of the extinguisher, if it comes with one . If not, tie a small piece of cardboard onto the extinguisher and write your notes on that. It’s a great way to quickly jot down the inspection date and a few notes on the condition of the extinguisher. By reviewing the fire extinguisher inspection tag date, you’ll know when the unit was last reviewed.

Step 3: Check the Gauge
Almost all fire extinguishers have a gauge, and it is very simple to read. The gauge just simply needs to be in the green "Charged" zone. Above in the "overcharged" zone or below in the "undercharged" zone means the extinguisher is bad and should be disposed of. Some extinguishers do not have a gauge and cannot be checked other than by date.
(As a side note, and only in this firefighter’s personal opinion, if an extinguisher doesn’t have a gauge it is useless. Get a new one with a gauge and get rid of the cheap, unreliable one.)

Step 4: Confirm the Hose and Pin Are in Place
Each part of the extinguisher plays an important role, and they all work together to help you deal with fires and knock them out quickly. The hose and pin are two key components that help to direct the chemical spray and prevent accidental discharge. In most cases, you’ll need to pull the safety pin to discharge the chemical, then point the hose at the fire before squeezing the handle to release the fire-fighting chemical.

If you find cracks in the hose, or if it’s too brittle to bend easily, get it replaced. Be sure the pin is securely tied to the extinguisher with a safety tether, if one was included originally. If the tether is missing, there’s a chance that the extinguisher has been used and the canister may not be completely full.

Step 5: Look for Physical Damage
When inspecting the extinguisher for damage, look for dents in the gas canister first. Scratches and divots in the paint can mean that it’s suffered a fall and may be leaking slowly. Rust around the seal between the canister and the neck can be another symptom of trouble.

If your fire extinguisher fails any of these checks, it should be replaced immediately. Hopefully by one with a gauge!

Tomorrow, we will discuss more about fire extinguishers, and the discussion will be based on MORE fire extinguishers. Before checking in for our post tomorrow, as a little homework assignment, I want everyone to count how many fire extinguishers they have in their homes. Why? You'll find out tomorrow...