Check a home fire extinguisher once a month. Make sure the gauge needle is in the green, the pin and tamper seal are intact, the cylinder and hose aren't damaged, and nothing is blocking it. First Alert recommends that monthly visual check plus a professional inspection once a year. Replace or recharge it after any use.
The monthly check, step by step#
It takes about a minute per extinguisher. Do it in this order:
- Find it. If you have to move a laundry basket or reach past the stove to grab it, fix that first. The US Fire Administration says nothing should block or limit your reach.
- Read the gauge. The needle should sit in the green zone. To the left means it's lost pressure. To the right means it's overcharged. Both mean service or replacement.
- Check the pin and tamper seal. The pin should be in place and the plastic seal around it unbroken. A broken seal usually means someone has squeezed the handle, even briefly.
- Look over the body. Dents, rust, corrosion, a cracked or clogged nozzle, or a stiff, split hose are all reasons to replace it.
- Make sure you can read the label. The instructions on the side are what you'll be reading in a panic.
- Shake it if the label says to. The USFA notes that some extinguishers need shaking monthly. Follow your model's label, not a general rule.
- Write the date on the tag or in your notes.
Don't pull the pin or squeeze off a short burst to test it. That uses up the pressure, and the extinguisher will need recharging or replacing afterwards.
What to do with what you find#
| What you find |
What it means |
What to do |
| Needle in the green, seal intact, no damage |
Ready to use |
Nothing until next month |
| Needle outside the green |
Lost pressure or overcharged |
Have it serviced, or replace it if it's disposable |
| Broken seal or missing pin |
It may have been used |
Service or replace it |
| It's been used, even for a second |
Partly empty, may leak down |
Recharge (rechargeable) or replace (disposable) |
| Dents, rust, damaged hose or nozzle |
Cylinder or parts can fail under pressure |
Replace it |
| Older than its service life |
Past the maker's limit |
Replace it |
That "even for a second" row catches people out. First Alert's maintenance advice is that an extinguisher needs recharging after each use, even if it isn't empty.
Rechargeable or disposable?#
Look at the head. A metal valve and handle usually means rechargeable. A plastic head usually means disposable, and the label will say so. Rechargeable units can be refilled and serviced by a certified fire equipment dealer. Disposable units get replaced. Don't try to refill either one yourself.
Either type is fine for a home. What matters is knowing which one you have, so you know whether "after use" means a trip to a dealer or a trip to the store.
How long do home fire extinguishers last?#
It depends on the maker, and the date is printed on the unit. Kidde says its extinguishers are still good if the gauge is in the green and the manufacture date is less than 12 years ago. It prints that date as two digits on the bottom of the cylinder or four digits stamped into it. First Alert says its rechargeable models last 10 or 12 years depending on the model.
Workplace extinguishers have their own inspection and testing schedules set by fire codes. Those don't apply to the one under your kitchen sink, but the annual professional check First Alert recommends is worth doing if you have a rechargeable unit.
Which extinguisher, and where#
The USFA says multipurpose extinguishers labeled "A-B-C" or "B-C" can handle most home fires. Pick the largest one you can comfortably lift and aim, and look for a UL or ULC listing. A tiny one that empties in a few seconds isn't much use.
Keep one in the kitchen, near the way out of the room instead of right next to the stove, so you're not reaching toward the fire to get it. Another on each floor and one in the garage is a sensible setup. Make sure everyone old enough to use one knows where they are.
Should you use it at all?#
The extinguisher is for a small fire, not a burning room. The USFA says to use one only if all of these are true:
- Everyone else has been alerted and someone has called the fire department
- You're physically able to use it
- The fire is small and contained, like a pan or a wastebasket
- You're safe from the smoke
- You have a clear way out
If any answer is no, get out and call 911 from outside. If you do use it, the USFA's method is PASS: pull the pin, aim low at the base of the fire, squeeze the lever slowly and evenly, and sweep from side to side. Your local fire department may offer hands-on training.
Grease fires are the classic kitchen case. Keeping your range hood and filters clean cuts down on the grease that feeds them.
Fitting it into a routine#
Tie the extinguisher check to the monthly smoke alarm test so both happen on the same day. A monthly ChoreLists.com reminder for "test alarms, check extinguisher gauge" keeps them together, and a separate reminder for the replacement year saves you hunting for the date code. If you keep a home emergency kit, Ready.gov lists an extinguisher as one of the extras worth having.