While I completely agree that you should have appropriate fire extinguishers in your home, with the Kitchen and Garage a priority it is important to note that home sized fire extinguishers have limited fire fighting capabilities.

Fire extinguishers are specifically designed for incipient stage fires, or fires in the very early stages. Fires in the kitchen and garage can often be controlled by a fire extinguisher (used properly) because people are often present when the fire starts and a extinguisher can be employed early in the fires development. A fire that is not extinguished with a single extinguisher is too big for extinguishers alone and more then likely to they point where you need firefighter's protective clothing to fight it safely... GET OUT and CALL 911! No property is worth a life.

Having an extinguisher near your bedroom isn't a bad idea... leaving the room for anywhere but OUTSIDE if you awake at night to find a fire in your home is not a good idea. Usually, waking to find smoke in the middle of the night means that the fire has been working for a little bit and an extinguisher is going to do little to no good. More important is getting OUT, calling 911 (this is why your cellphone should be next to your bed) and accounting for the others in your home. If your bedrooms aren't close enough together to wake your family and get them out without wondering through a smoke filled home... get out and go to their bedroom from the outside.

I personally keep extinguishers in various locations in my home. First I keep a 20lbs (20A, 120B-C) dry chemical extinguisher in my garage along with a 2-1/2 gallon pressurized water extinguisher (PW can). In my kitchen I keep a 10lbs (10A, 60B-C) dry chemical along with a 5lbs CO2 extinguisher. In my office I keep another 5lbs CO2 extinguisher. Finally I have a 20lbs dry chemical extinguisher on my back patio.

Remember fire extinguishers should be replaced (if they are not the serviceable kind) before they expire. Serviceable extinguishes need to be checked by a certified servicing company annually. All extinguished should be checked about monthly.

Fire extinguishers are only one line of defense against fires in the home. Obviously, safety and common sense are the first line but you should also have multiple smoke detectors in the home... perferably linked (one goes off they all do). Sprinklers are even better! But, since even being safe and using common sense doesn't always prevent fires you should always have a escape plan and rally point... and remember once you are outside STAY OUT!

Edited to add: once a waste basket (sofa, mattress, etc) is extinguished and you can carry it safely... get it out.

It is not a bad idea for the FD to come check fires you extinguished when the fire has discolored or blackened walls, cabinets, etc. I have been on more then one fire that had extended into the cabinets or wall after a "small" fire was extinguished earlier in the day... more then once the fire was noticed only smoke was pouring out of the attic. It is an easy job to check for extension using a Thermal Imaging Camera and experience.