Fire extinguishers are an important type of safety equipment that should be in every home and are required in most businesses. They do not last forever and must be regularly inspected, maintained, or replaced.

Some extinguishers, especially the least expensive ones, are disposable. Others are refillable. Maintenance and repair should only be done by trained and licensed professionals, but you can and should check to see how old your extinguishers are and whether they are full.

Idyllwild Fire Protection District will also inspect your extinguishers if you bring them to the station, but they do not service or recharge them. They can also answer questions about care and use

Check your extinguishers monthly. First, look to see how old it is. They have the date of manufacture printed on the body. Those that have been inspected have a card with inspection dates.

Many companies in surrounding cities provide extinguisher service and inspections. Robert Hedrick of Hedrick Fire Protection answered a few questions. His company services the equipment at the Girl Scouts’ Camp Sherman. He said the cost to have an extinguisher serviced is between $35 and $50. They do a “loop” through our area about once a month and visit Idyllwild and Anza.

Hendrick pointed out that businesses in California that are open to the public or with employees must have extinguishers. This includes home businesses like daycare. These must be inspected annually by a licensed pro.

Hedrick pointed out that although many sources refer to water, powder, and foam extinguishers, the foam units have been discontinued due to cancer risk. The powder units are due for service after six years, and the CO2 units after ten. Although there are water extinguishers, the dry ones are for home use: “Water you can’t use on electrical or grease.”

Older models may not be serviceable, as requirements are always getting more demanding and parts may not be available. The modern standard for Kitchens is “K,” and if your extinguisher is older, it may not be the best tool for the task.

The monthly self-inspection starts with the pressure gauge. Is it in the green zone? If not, it should be serviced or replaced. Single-use extinguishers often have a test button that will pop out when pressed if pressure is good. A full extinguisher should feel heavy. They have the proper gross weight printed on them. If it is light, it is no good.

You should also make sure there are no missing or broken parts, no corrosion, and that the nozzle is not blocked. If there is a safety seal, it should not be broken. These monthly inspections on commercial units should be recorded on the “hang tag” with a date and your initials.

Fire extinguishers that are not completely empty are considered hazardous materials and should never be put in the trash. They should be emptied before being discarded. Empty it in a safe place, allow it to sit a few days, then empty again before putting it in the trash.

Extinguishers must be mounted on the wall or kept in a well-marked cabinet, where even a stranger will see them. Entrances and exits are good locations. The National Fire Protection Association advises placement along “normal paths of travel.” They should be close to potential ignition sources (like a kitchen range) but not so close that a fire will make them inaccessible. The California Code also states that employers must train employees about fire hazards and extinguisher use.

During self-inspection, make sure you understand how to use the extinguisher. Most have a pin that must be pulled before use. This breaks a seal to show that the unit has been used, so only pull the pin during an actual fire.

In the event of a fire, you will pull that pin. Next, squeeze the handle and test the stream to see how fast and far it shoots. Then aim at the base of the fire, sweeping back and forth. Keep yourself at a safe distance, and with an escape route.

Do not attempt to use an extinguisher on a large fire, like a room that is already “involved” in fire. Extinguishers are for stopping fires at the source. For any but the smallest fires, call 911 and Idyllwild Fire at (951) 659-2153. IFPD may arrive before a 911 call is routed through the call management system. Cell phone calls to 911 go to CHP, then the call center, then the relevant agency.

Extinguishers are not expensive when compared to the cost of a house fire. Better to err on the side of caution and bring your equipment up to date.