Go check your fire extinguisher RIGHT NOW!

[XemaSab]

I put out a kitchen fire about an hour ago with our ancient extinguisher.

Grease spilled on the bottom of the oven, and caught fire. It was really blazing. I used the whole fire extinguisher on it.

When the fire department arrived 10 minutes after the extinguisher gave up the ghost, the fire was out.

If the fire extinguisher had not been loaded and ready to go, it could have had a much different ending.

[SmileyRose]

1. And check the battery in the smoke alarm.

[NYC_SKP]

2. You OK?

I hope not damage to your person, I imagine the oven is ruined!

[XemaSab]

3. I'm okay

My mom burned her fingers. We'll see how the oven is tomorrow. Neither of us wants to deal with it today.

[mindwalker_i]

4. It's still a fire extinguisher

It hasn't turned into a small rodent, a disemboweled pine cone, nor a food stamp.

[zonkers]

18. bwahhhhhhhh!!!!!! lol!!!!!

[create.peace]

5. i had a good extinguisher in the car, but even though it showed in the green zone, it puttered out

immediately. the fireman who responded to the fire under the hood, said that after sitting and vibrating for miles and miles, the stuff settles, and you have to hit the can on the ground a few times....if i had known that my dear car would still be on the road. the reason there was a fire was shoddy repair work, but that is another problem.

[XemaSab]

26. Bummer

:(

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

6. Good advice. Glad it wasn't worse.

It should be noted that the extinguisher should be located in a spot that allows access to it in the event of a fire on the stove. Some people put them under the sink very close to the stove and then can't get to them because of the fire.

David

[XemaSab]

12. Seriously

Ours was under the sink, and if the flames had been any bigger, it would have been a hairy adventure getting the extinguisher.

I think tomorrow we'll go get three: one for under the sink, one for immediately inside the kitchen door, and one for the hallway outside the bedrooms. If the hallway is on fire, it's time to leave the house anyways.

[csziggy]

17. Yeah, mine was hanging on the wall across from the stove

When the element melted and shorted out, the sparks were flying directly at the fire extinguisher and I could not get it. Fortunately, Mr. csziggy was on the side with the electric box and shut off the power.

I don't have extinguishers in the new house - I will take care of that this week!

[Lisa0825]

7. Thank you. I am glad you are OK!

I had been intending to buy a new one for a while now, and just kept forgetting. I will make a point to do so now. I am so glad you are OK and the damage was minimal!
:pals:

[Wilms]

8. I love PSA's!

Thanks for the advice.

And I'm hoping Mom's doin' ok.

[cliffordu]

9. Baking Soda. 3 pounds of Arm and Hammer.

Under the sink - never wears out, goes stale or loses it's potency -

And it won't splatter grease like canned products....


Although it works great on grease fires, if the fire moves off the stove and onto vertical surfaces, you need the extinguisher....

And a sound exit plan if shit really goes south.

[hfojvt]

14. exactly, although why not a generic? n/t

[Critters2]

21. I always keep a box of baking soda on the counter next to my stove. In easy reach

for just such an occurrence.

[Born_A_Truman]

24. I keep a big box for my wood stove too!

In case of chimney fire, toss in the entire box!

[2Design]

10. glad you are ok n/t

[XemaSab]

13. Thanks

:pals:

[Hissyspit]

11. I actually just checked mine yesterday.

Looks good.

[hfojvt]

15. I just checked

mine is calling Congress for some reason.

[XemaSab]

16. .

:rofl:

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Good job and thanks for the necessary reminder

by the way... just plain earth or using a pan cover works, the latter only if the grease is NOT outside a container.

Oh and it is best to leave the fight when they get too big. I know it is tragic, but things can always be replaced, lives cannot.

GOOD JOB and the oven can be replaced, If you have a house insurance it should be covered too.

[Better Today]

20. In a pinch, the canister of flour works well. I caught a huge amount of grease

on fire in an oven when I was just 17. My 29 yo live in boyfriend quite literally came in from work just as I was about to throw a pitcher of water on it, grabbed my arm (thank goodness) and threw the entire canister of flour sitting less than a foot away and more likely to contain a hefty amount than the baking soda. Anyway, no fire department required. It was out.

[cherokeeprogressive]

22. Excellent advice. Glad you're OK. I would respectfully add that it's not only important

to have one on hand, but KNOW HOW TO USE IT.

Again, I'm glad you're OK.

[XemaSab]

23. For real

My mom was standing right next to me, and she not only forgot (in the stress of the moment) that we even had one, but she said later she would not have known how to use it. :o

[HopeHoops]

25. I check all of them regularly. We've got ten of them (plus one in each car)

Two large ones (each end of the garage)
Small easy-reach and regular size in kitchen
One in each of four bedrooms
Two in the basement, one near the stairs, one in the back corner.

I check them regularly. Smoke detectors are hardwired and CO detector is a plug-in. I've got a backup smoke detector (battery) for when the power goes out.

[RubyDuby in GA]

27. Got a brand new one in July - thanks to my across the street neighbors setting my bushes on fire

Always keep one in the house, but think its time to add one to my car for those just in case purposes.

Thanks for giving me a nudge and I'm glad you are ok!