SAFETY BASICS - FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Keep a fire extinguisher near, but not next to, your stove:  Smoke or fire from the appliance could block access.  For the kitchen, one with just a B on its label is okay because it will work on oil and grease fires and is small, making it easy to handle.  But others in the house - put one on each floor – should be labeled ABC.  They also work on electric, wood, and paper fires.  Check periodically to make sure they are pressurized and replace after about 12 years.

** Good to know** Don’t store fire extinguishers under a sink.  Leaks could damage it, and it could be hard to find behind a mess of cleaning supplies.

** Have your dryer vent cleaned and inspected annually by a professional. Clean the lint filter before each use.  A third of dyer fires are caused by vents clogged with fibers that ignite when the dryer is running.

Signs of a clogged vent:
1.  It’s taking longer than usual for clothes to dry.

2.  Just-dried clothes feel hotter to the touch than normal. 
3.  The Laundry room is starting to feel like a sauna.

​Source: Consumer Reports March 2022