Introduction

All will agree that there is no asset more important than our families and our homes, yet most of us do so little to protect them from the dangers that pose the most serious threats to their safety. One such danger is fire. In 2007, fire was the cause of 2,895 deaths and $7.5 billion in damages. Much of this tragedy could have been easily avoided had many of the homeowners taken some simple precautions towards protecting themselves and their families from the dangers of fire.

Fire escape planning is a relatively simple and effective tool that every family should utilize. Knowing how to get out of a burning house in just a few minutes can make the difference between life and death. Every year, more than 2,800 people die in residential fires. Many of these deaths could have easily been prevented had the families developed and practiced a fire escape plan and better had fire protection devices in place.

Many people who suffer a residential fire believe that bad luck plays a role in why the fire started. While it may be true that sometimes "stuff" happens, the fact of the matter is that some pre-planning and investigation can go a long way towards preventing fires from ever starting in the first place.

Understanding the differences between fire extinguisher types is vital. Using the wrong device can be ineffective at best and fatal at worst. The U.S. categorizes fires into four classes. These class labels indicate suitability of the device.