Maintenance Guidelines for Portable Fire Extinguishers

Inspect Your Fire Extinguisher Regularly

• If you have a fire extinguisher in your home it is very important to inspect it on a regular basis. Inspecting your fire extinguisher at least once a month will help to protect your family and make sure that you will be protected in the event of a fire. During the inspection be sure to check the pressure gauge to make sure the fire extinguisher is fully charged. Also carefully examine the nozzle to make sure that it is not blocked. If there is dirt or debris clogging the nozzle, carefully clean the unit.

Keep the Chemicals Mixed Properly

• At the heart of your fire extinguisher are the chemicals that will put out cooking fires, grease fires and other household hazards. In order to make sure those chemicals will operate as intended, be sure to give the fire extinguisher a good shake each time you inspect it. Shaking the fire extinguisher will help to ensure the chemicals are mixed properly, and that will help to ensure the fire extinguisher will work properly when you need it most.

Know Where Your Fire Extinguisher is Located

• Even a properly maintained fire extinguisher will do you no good if you don't know where it is located or if you cannot get to it in an emergency. When a fire breaks out you may literally have only seconds to act, so it is important to be sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible when you need it. Be sure that there is nothing sitting in front of the unit, and be sure that everyone in the family knows where it is located. It is also important to have regular fire drills at home to make sure every member of the family will be able to grab the fire extinguisher and use it in an emergency. These regular fire drills are a big part of proper fire extinguisher maintenance.