This should be everyones resolution for 2013

[silverfox103]

This is my 5th season with pellets. I always keep the stove clean and running the way it should, try to shop for price and quality of pellets and in general keep the operation running smooth.

But you know what, I do one of the dumbest things that's pellet stove related. I wish I was, but I don't think I'm alone. I have two stoves but, I don't have one fire extinguisher, now that is plain stupid.

Is there anyone else out there, and willing to admit it, that also has a dunce hat on like me? Or I also would like to hear from people who have one, and are at the head of the class. Funny, I never hear of this being mentioned.

My resolution for 2013, get one pretty quick!

Tom C.

 

[SXIPro]

One in the kitchen under the sink, one in the basement. (Actually 6 in the basement if you count the ones from the boats and jetskis)

 

[imacman]

You're absolutely right on this....everyone should have one near the stove......but not too close...if there IS a fire at the stove, you need to be able to get to the extinguisher.

I have one about 15 ft. away.

 

[hossthehermit]

Fire extinguishers should be located beside EVERY exit. A few more scattered around is always a good idea, but you should NEVER try to fight a fire unless you have a clear exit available. Get to your exit, THEN try to fight the fire.

 

[ltlhawk]

I keep 3 large handy. One in the garage, one in the kitchen and one in the basement. For $50 a piece I can possibly save my house in case of emergency.. Worth it..

Thanks for getting people to think. .This is so important......

 

[ridemgis]

This is my first season using a wood burning stove. Scares me enough that I loaded up on new smoke detectors, a couple of CO detectors, a BIG fire extinguisher and a chimflex flare. Then me, the wife and kid had a chat about how the stove works, clearances to combustibles and what to do if the worst happens. Bottom line for us is get out, call fire department, and lastly, consider the options for heading back in to deploy extinguisher and/or chimflex.

 

[Kittery]

Okay SIlverfox103. It looks like the only folks responding thus far are on the 'correct' side of the fence and are telling about the extinguishers they have. Well, I'm "willing to admit" that I don't have any around the house any where. And, this is my 10th season. Thanks for the reminder and I'll have to rectify this in the near future.

 

[jtakeman]

I have an extinguisher mounted to the wall just as you enter the basement where my stove is. Have since we installed the wood eater back in December of 98. I also have one just as you enter the kitchen area JIC.

I bough larger(10lbs?) that are refillable. I have them serviced every 4 to 5 seasons just to be sure they are ready to go. Dang sure don't want to grab a 10 year old unit that doesn't work when you really need it to!

 

[silverfox103]

Okay SIlverfox103. It looks like the only folks responding thus far are on the 'correct' side of the fence and are telling about the extinguishers they have. Well, I'm "willing to admit" that I don't have any around the house any where. And, this is my 10th season. Thanks for the reminder and I'll have to rectify this in the near future.

Thanks Kittery for "coming out", I know we're not the only ones. I would be willing to bet, at last half don't have them. Although, l hope I am wrong and we are the only dunces.

Tom

 

[mepellet]

Got one under the kitchen sink and one on the basement steps. Have been thinking about getting a couple better ones jic.

 

[jtakeman]

Prolly a good idea to check the ones you do have now. They sometimes loose their umph over time. Check the gauge if it has one. If its over 5 years old and no gauge. Cheap insurance to toss it and go new.

Really bad feeling when you have to use one and it only fissles/spits/sputters on you.

 

[silverfox103]

Now a question, where can I buy a fire extinguisher? HD or Lowes or does it have to be a specialty store?

thanks

Tom

 

[subsailor]

Caught me. I had one but it was so long since it had been serviced the powder was like a rock. Time for a new one. Thanks for pointing this out.

 

[ChandlerR]

I spent too many years as a call firefighter not to take the risk of fire lightly. I actually have a water extinguisher that will work well if I have a hopper fire. I've got hard wired smoke and CO detectors and an extinguisher at three strategic locations around the house. Oh and the antique extinguisher next to the stove actually works too A good thing to do is to picture a fire emergency and come up with a plan of action. 911 should be the first thing you do. I know this will sound silly, but we actually have fire drills. My 10 year old granddaughter lives with us and we felt it very important that she doesn't panic and thinks clearly.

 

[DexterDay]

I have 3 total. One at top of steps. One in cabinet near Quad. And one near Woodstove in basement.m

If you have invited Fire into your home, please welcome a Fire extinguisher also.

You may NEVER need it, but I would rather have it, and not need it. Than not have it, and need it.

 

[Melissa220]

I have one, but it is as old as the length of time I have lived in this house. In other words, far beyond time to get a new one.

 

[Augmister]

Great post and an important reminder to all. I have one around the corner from the house stove, in the kitchen. Another one in the garage near the other stove and one in my shed. Checked them all recently and am good to go.

 

[SwineFlue]

Prolly a good idea to check the ones you do have now. They sometimes loose their umph over time. Check the gauge if it has one. If its over 5 years old and no gauge. Cheap insurance to toss it and go new.

Really bad feeling when you have to use one and it only fissles/spits/sputters on you.

Thanks for the reminder: one of mine is at the very bottom of the "full" mark on the gauge. Time to replace it.

Similarly, check the dates on smoke detectors. They are only good for 10 years, due to the half-life of the radio-active sensor. In my case it was printed on a small sticker inside the compartment for the backup battery.

 

[PoolGuyinCT]

Caught me. I had one but it was so long since it had been serviced the powder was like a rock. Time for a new one. Thanks for pointing this out.

Same here... Off to amazon or lowes on way to work in morning

 

[heat seeker]

On the advice of a firefighter friend, I got a pressurized water extinguisher. I can fill it and pressurize it myself. I have tested it outside, and it is very impressive! Water is considered the best for wood/paper fires, but not electrical!
This thing will shoot water 30 or 40 feet. I keep the extinguisher about 20 feet from the stove, so I don't have to go anywhere near it should the unthinkable happen. That also keeps me well away from any smoke or fumes, which can be as deadly as the fire itself.
I also have a couple of chemical extinguishers around, too, for grease and electrical fires. Well worth the price for the peace of mind!

 

[Phil Do's fire.]

This is my 5th season with pellets. I always keep the stove clean and running the way it should, try to shop for price and quality of pellets and in general keep the operation running smooth.

But you know what, I do one of the dumbest things that's pellet stove related. I wish I was, but I don't think I'm alone. I have two stoves but, I don't have one fire extinguisher, now that is plain stupid.

Is there anyone else out there, and willing to admit it, that also has a dunce hat on like me? Or I also would like to hear from people who have one, and are at the head of the class. Funny, I never hear of this being mentioned.

My resolution for 2013, get one pretty quick!

Tom C.

I have two within 20 feet of my Italian stallion stove!

 

[LMPS]

Great reminder....off to check mine as I have not looked at them in years....the other thing to keep in mind is if you have a two story house how are you going to get out if you have a fire and can not get down the stairs....we have a couple of albumin folding ladders on the second floor that hang out a window.

 

[Eatonpcat]

Fire Extinguisher...Great idea, that will give my wife something to do while I'm running out the door screaming "FIRE"!!

Actually this is a great post, thanks for the reminder!

 

[will711]

Actually this is a great post, thanks for the reminder!

I have 2 but this post made me take a look at them one in garage looks like it's dead time for a new one probably get 2.After reading all of the posts I will" come out" I never had CO detectors. I DO now, once again learn something from this great forum. Thanks.

 

[CtPaul]

I have a few throughout the house but I needed to replace 2 this year.
One safety item that I purchased was a metal ash pail. I went from using an ash vac to a small shop vac. I wait until the stove cools down then vac. I usually put the shop vac outside on the patio overnight, just in case. Now I put the ash in a metal pail outside the way it should be.