There are certain items in your home that are essentials, but the irony is that most of the vital elements aren't things people think about on a regular basis.  Do you check your fire alarm batteries often?  Do you have carbon monoxide detectors strategically placed throughout your home?  Are you adhering to the rules of fire extinguisher safety? Inspecting your fire extinguisher is an important part of your Las Vegas home maintenance plan.

The Importance of Fire Extinguishers

Nobody plans on having a fire.  Fires are generally caused from accidents or acts of nature that can come at any time, and if you're not prepared, the results can be devastating. A short in an electrical outlet or a dirty dryer vent tend to be common fire starters.

Because you never know when a fire may spark, you should always have at least one fire extinguisher in your home.  The larger your space, the more fire extinguishers you should consider keeping on-hand.  It's always best to keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen, as that's a place accidents can easily happen.  Consider keeping one in the garage and another in the hallway by the bedrooms, too.

Different Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are different types of fire extinguishers, each of which is made to combat specific types of fires.

• Class A:  Ordinary materials such as cloth, wood, and paper.
• Class B:  Combustible and flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, and oil-based paints.
• Class C:  Electrical equipment such as tools, appliances, and other devices you plug in.
• Class D:  Flammable metals like those found in factories.
• Class E:  Vegetable oils, animal fats, and other oils used for cooking.

Multi-purpose fire extinguishers are also available.  Fire extinguishers that are made for multi-purpose use may be labeled "B-C" or "A-B-C."  You'll find an assortment of extinguisher types at your local home improvement store.

Proper Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

If you've ever used your fire extinguisher, it's imperative that you have it checked to ensure it's still in good shape, should you need to use it again. 

Here are some additional maintenance tips you should add to your checklist:

• Pressure.  Your pressure needs to be in the green to be properly functioning.
• Easy Access.  A fire extinguisher that's kept in your attic won't do you much good if a fire breaks out.  Re-evaluate the accessibility of your extinguishers to ensure you can quickly grab them at a moment's notice.
• Check the Seals.  Inspect your seals to ensure they're intact and haven't been tampered with.  When it doubt, throw it out and get a new one.

Fire extinguisher safety is just one of the many Las Vegas home maintenance tips we recommend homeowners pay attention to.  If you don’t already have a home maintenance schedule, download our PDF, or import reminders directly into the calendar on your device.

How do you prepare you home for the change of the seasons while staying on top of your safety to-do list?  Share your tips with us!