Fires are common in our homes, and few people think of them as being hazardous or life-changing. Having a fire extinguisher installed in the house isn’t to say fire breakouts are inevitable. Rather, it is a safety precaution that reduces the potential costly damages in the event of a fire break out in the home. Fire extinguishers are small, but they can make a huge difference in mitigating the hazards of fires, from minor to deadly ones. To further highlight why all homes should have a fire extinguisher, data from the National Safety Council indicates that over 2 million fires are reported annually in the U.S.
Moreover, data from NSC shows that:
- Nearly 4000 Americans perish in those fires.
- Approximately 20,000 individuals sustain fire-related injuries annually, some of which are tragic and life-changing.
- More than 400,000 homes and structures are damaged or destroyed by residential fire outbreaks every year – all accumulating to a total property loss of over $4 billion annually.
- That said, we cannot overemphasize the importance of having a fire extinguisher in the home. And for whatever it is worth, the following are fundamental reasons why every home should install one, and Test and tag them annually:
To keep fires from growing out of control
Fire extinguishers have chemical components that comprise a jet of gas, water, CO2, and other materials compressed in portable devices that are designed to eliminate fires. When used timely and appropriately, fire extinguishers can help avert potentially huge and dangerous flames from causing catastrophic damages. There are four classes of fire extinguishers that you can choose from while installing one in the home, namely, classes A, B, C, D, and A-B-C. Each one has its type of fire that it is designed to extinguish effectively. But the one labeled A-B-C is the most appropriate because it is multipurpose.
Fire extinguishers help conserve the environment
Fire extinguishers are designed to mitigate small flames. And if used timely, it can prevent huge flames and smoke that can benefit the environment. Fire extinguishers eliminate small fires that could potentially grow big and pollute the environment with smoke and subsequent burning of the surroundings.
Fire extinguishers help save lives
The primary purpose of installing a fire extinguisher is to have it as the first line of defense in the event of a fire outbreak. And for fire outbreaks that start small and grow gradually as opposed to explosions, a fire extinguisher can come in handy to prevent the loss of lives and property. That’s why you should install one around the home.
Fire extinguishers are critical
Fire extinguishers are critical pieces of equipment around the house as they are the first line of defense in the event of a fire outbreak. They can prevent small fires from growing out of control. And while there are many ways you can protect your home, a fire extinguisher is one of the ways. Overall, installing a fire extinguisher around the house can be the difference between a minor fire problem and destruction. That’s why it is recommended that every home should at least install one.
