Which fire extinguisher do I need at home?

If you want a safe home, you should also be concerned about fire protection. In doing so, one should also think about the fire extinguisher. The German Curatorship for Safety in Home and Leisure (DSH) advises two important fire extinguishers: a grease fire extinguisher should be ready to hand at the stove, while a larger foam extinguisher should be available in the apartment. The fire classes ABF should be printed on both extinguisher types.

However, the quality is decisive when buying. Cheap products often have too short a spraying range. That can be life-threatening in the case of fire, as the experts of the DSH write. On the following safety characteristics should be paid attention according to the Hamburg specialists:

• The extinguisher should have the imprint DIN EN 3.
• The CE quality mark is also important. The GS mark (tested safety) is also passable.
• The color RED (RAL 3000, "fire department red") is a sign of an approved extinguisher.

In principle, in the event of an apartment fire, people should first be brought to safety. The door should be closed immediately in the event of a fire, and the windows should also remain closed, as the supply of oxygen accelerates the fire.