Williams says fire department should still be called in most instances
MANHATTAN, Kan. — As the holiday season brings decorated homes, busy kitchens and cold-weather equipment use, a Kansas Forest Service official is urging residents and producers to take a closer look at fire extinguishers — not just owning them, but knowing how and when to use them.
Aaron Williams, district fire management officer for southeast Kansas, said most extinguishers are designed for small, manageable fires and should never replace calling the fire department.
“There are five categories a fire extinguisher can be rated for,” Williams said. “Those categories are A, B, C, D and the newer K classification.”
- Class A extinguishers are intended for ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth and many plastics.
- Class B extinguishers are used for flammable liquids like gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene, which float on water and require different suppression agents.
- Class C extinguishers are designed for energized electrical equipment. Once power is shut off, an electrical fire becomes a Class A fire, but Williams said it is safer to have an ABC-rated extinguisher on hand. Most extinguishers sold at big-box stores are ABC dry chemical models, which Williams said are appropriate for most homes.
- Class D extinguishers are used for flammable metals and are rarely encountered outside industrial settings.
- Class K extinguishers are designed for cooking oils and grease fires and are typically found in commercial kitchens.
In addition to traditional extinguishers, Williams said fire blankets can be effective in limited situations, such as a pot fire on a stove. Fire blankets work by smothering flames and cutting off oxygen, but they must remain in place until firefighters arrive to prevent reignition.
With real Christmas trees common during the holidays, Williams warned they pose a significant fire risk if not properly maintained.
“All species of Christmas trees that people use are extremely flammable,” he said. “They burn fast and they burn hot.”
He recommended keeping live trees well-watered, checking water levels daily and cutting a small section off the trunk before placing it in a stand to help the tree absorb moisture.
Lithium batteries, increasingly common in toys, tools and vehicles, are another growing concern. Williams said lithium battery fires are difficult to extinguish and can require thousands of gallons of water, particularly in electric vehicles.
“If you have a lithium battery that catches on fire, call the fire department immediately,” he said. “They are very hard to put out.”
Williams stressed that calling the fire department should be the first action in nearly all fire situations, after ensuring personal safety.
“Fire extinguishers are intended for very small fires,” he said. “If a fire is spreading rapidly, you’re probably going to have trouble getting that put out safely.”
He also emphasized that smoke detectors are more important than extinguishers and should be installed and maintained before investing in other fire protection equipment. Extinguishers should be kept visible and accessible, but not directly next to stoves or other high-risk areas.
Homeowners should inspect extinguishers monthly to ensure they are charged, unobstructed and in good condition. Williams said extinguishers should also be professionally inspected once a year, noting that some models slowly lose pressure over time.
For agricultural producers, fire safety extends beyond the home. Williams recommended placing extinguishers on combines, tractors and hay equipment, citing the high risk of fires during harvest and hay operations.
“I’ve fought a lot of hay bale fires,” he said. “Once a hay bale is on fire, that bale is gone.”
Barn environments also pose challenges due to temperature extremes. While dry chemical extinguishers generally perform well in cold conditions, water-based extinguishers can freeze unless treated with antifreeze.
Ultimately, Williams said education and training are critical.
“Owning a fire extinguisher and knowing how to use one are two separate things,” he said, encouraging residents to seek training through local fire departments or emergency managers.
