Fire extinguishers

[Guest]

Hi folks,<br>I just wanted to say that I finally gave in and bought a new fire extinguisher for the van. A nice B &amp;C Marine/Auto unit...maybe 3 pounds from Walmart for $18...not a bad investment. Hope to never have to use it but I had my old one for quite a while and I can't imagine the bad feeling of needing it and having it not work! Yikes!<br><br>Be sure yours is up to date and charged....<br><br><br><br>

 

[Seraphim]

Wise move.

 

[Les H]

I have carried one in just about every vehicle I have owned. I have only had one minor carb fire of my own, and didn't have an extinguisher. I managed to throw enough snow on it to put it out. I have , however seen several other car fires of various kinds, and used my extinguisher to help them out. Even saw an off road mowing machine for a utility company go up in flames after it's brakes caught fire and spread to the engine, tires and fuel tank, eventually completely destroying a $200 k machine. I used up my extinguisher, then used a garden hose 300' long to keep water on the fuel tank until the local volunteers could get there. The company that owned the machine brought me a brand new 10# one to replace the one I had used. Come to think of it, lots of unusual things happened on that property over the years... But yes, much better to have it and not need it... The new ones are much smaller and lighter , so there is REALY no reason not to have one.
Les

 

[Guest]

Hi,<br>This is probably a good time for folks to take a look at their extinguisher and make sure it is in good condition.....<br>I was told by the guy that did the federal extinguisher inspections in my area of Alaska that when one is carried in a car they tend to pack down through vibration and when you go to use it all the powder stay packed in the bottom....I don't know about newer ones but a guy should probably give their extinguisher a good shaking once in a while.<br><br>Once a year we would have a training for the new seasonals and it was surprising how few folks knew how to use one in a manner that would put out a fire. We used actual extinguishers to practice and it was helpful. Just having one does not help if one does not know the proper way to use it.....<br><br>Bri<br><br><br>