Is 'Kidde' a good and reputable brand and could I trust my life on it, or should I look elsewhere? It seems to be the best stocked brand.

Look for the Underwriters Laboratory logo. A good unit should be ABC rated also.

Kidde is a good brand. Just be sure to select a metal canister over a plastic one. Also, be sure to get the right type for the application. Type A is for non metallic solids (wood, paper, etc.), B is for flammable liquids, C is for electrically charged fires.<br><br>Chris

Kidde is a good brand, it's the brand we use most at work. I'll definitely agree with Chris; buy a metal-bodied extinguisher that's UL listed.<br><br>Also, you should consider the rating of any fire extinguisher you buy. The rating will be on the info label on the side. It'll look something like this: 20:A 10:B-C. Basically, the higher the number, the better the extinguishing properties of that particular unit.<br><br>Also, I wouldn't buy anything less than a 5 lb extinguisher. Something else you might want to consider... the dry chemical compound used in ABC-rated extinguishers is corrosive to electronic components. Bad jOO jOO for that stuff. If you have a lot of electronic equipment, you might want to consider getting a BC-rated CO2 extinguisher for use around electronics.

What about a fire blanket ?<br>I keep both a fire extinguisher (KIDDE ABC) and a fireblanket in my kitchen for emregency.<br><br>Something you might want to consider.

All good advice so far I'll add my 2cents.First get everyone out,call or have someone call the fire dept.that way if you can't handle it help will already be on the way,keep between an exit and the fire,so you can get out if the fire grows.<br><br>I believe i self-reliance, taking care of your own,I'll also add some of the biggest and worst fires I've been to have been ones where the people tried to first battle it themselves.Including one that started as a simple matteress fire,which turned into a full house fire in which 5 people died.<br><br>Its quite commen to find a bucket or pan in the tub or sink with the water still running or a spent extinguisher at a ripping house fire.Don't expect to put out a hole lot of fire with these things.Get everyone OUT,call the FD,give it a shot but keep the exit to your back.<br><br>Now I work for a city dept.that has a 4 minute responce time.If you live in the sticks,or somewhere that has a shortage of vollenteers and the responce time is great you may have no choice but to fight it.I keep a 100 foot garden hose hooked up front and rear of my home.In the winter one is pre-connected to a faucet in the basement.<br><br>Stay safe.

It is also good to remember that more dangerous than the flames is the smoke. Most people that die in fires are first overcome by smoke then are burnt after the fact. The smoke may be so thick that you could not even get to the flames to use a fire extinguisher. I agree with ThirdPig, call the FD first and then see if there is something that can be done without endangering yourself. Houses can be rebuilt, people can't.<br><br>Eric_c makes a good point about the corrosive effect of ABC extinguishers on electronics. The chemicals in ABC extinguishers are also highly corrosive on aluminum and should not be used on aircraft. They can do more long term damage to the aircraft structure than the fire might. Us pilots should have a BC type extinguisher in our hangar for fires that might be ignited during startup or refueling. Don't count on the fuel truck's extinguisher, many have been carrying ABC extinguishers lately. For in-flight fires you should carry a Halon extinguisher. Halon is very effective and doesn't leave a powdery residue that is impossible to clean up. It also does not create a dust cloud that is hazardous to breath and difficult to see through. However, Halon works by depriving the fire of oxygen so you need to ventilate the cabin so you will still be able to breath.

OK I ended up buying a Kidde, I forgot the rating, but the thing was like $60 and it was refillable. Does that mean it is metal? It sure is heavy...<br><br>The extinguishing content is 10 pounds. The other one was only 4 pounds and $35. Should I get one of those for my car?

Skunk, Ask OLD BALD GUY on this one. The CHP is the best source for outfitting a vehicle!!!!!!!!