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How should I store and maintain my fire extinguisher?
Home » Home Security » Fire Extinguishers » How should I store and maintain my fire extinguisher?The rule of thumb in fire extinguisher storage is accessibility. You don’t want to have to climb to the attic and dig through old Christmas decorations to find the extinguisher while the fire grows downstairs. Instead, keep your fire extinguisher unobstructed and in an easy-to-reach location.
As long as you don’t use it, there is no limit on how long you can store a fire extinguisher. From time to time, however, it is a good idea to check the pressure of your fire extinguisher. Extinguishers come equipped with a pressure gauge or a pressure check button that allow you to test the pressure in the unit.
If you do use your fire extinguisher, you need to either replace it or recharge it. Non-rechargeable fire extinguishers are intended for one-time use, so once you use it (or test it, for that matter), you have to replace it. Rechargeable fire extinguishers can be reused (after they are recharged), but they should also be serviced once a year by a fire equipment dealer.
Finally, make sure that anyone who might need to use the fire extinguisher knows how to use it. Tell family members and employees where the fire extinguisher is, and give brief instruction on how to use it in the event of a fire.
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