Inspect your fire extinguishers on a regular basis, at least once per month. Making sure that they are working properly is critical to safety in an emergency.
When checking your fire extinguisher, make sure it is:
- accessible
- charged (the needle is in the green zone)
- free from any obstructions, moving freely
- intact: the seal tamper pin are in place.
- rust-free, dent-free, does not have any corrosion, or leakage.
If you fire extinguisher is damaged, replace it immediately.
If you have a dry chemical fire extinguisher, fire departments recommend shaking them once a month to prevent the powder from settling packing in.
Check the owner’s manual that came with your fire extinguisher to see what the manufacturers recommendations are for maintenance pressure testing.
