Fire Safety

Protect your family and your home with fire safety equipment from The Home Depot. Fire safety essentials such as fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can help you feel confident and prepared. Shop our large selection of fire safety equipment from the most trusted brands, to give you peace of mind. Remember to make sure every level of your home is equipped with the right fire safety equipment.

Smoke Detectors

In emergencies like house fires, every second counts. Smoke detectors provide your first line of defense – they’ll quickly alert your family to smoke or fire danger by sounding an alarm. Smoke detectors should be installed in a central location, outside bedrooms and sleeping areas and on every level of your home. Consider one of our battery-powered smoke detectors. They typically use a nine volt or AA battery. Remember to test your smoke alarms every month and change AA batteries every 6 months to avoid that annoying low-battery chirp. Some brands, including Kidde, have battery smoke detectors with 10-year lithium batteries designed to last for the life of the detector. You might also choose a hardwired smoke detector. These are dependable options because they’re connected to your home’s power supply. Even if power is lost, most are equipped with a battery backup. Please note that hardwired smoke detectors require professional installation.

There are two basic types of smoke alarms: ionization smoke alarms and photoelectric. What makes them different is the way they sense the presence of smoke. Ionization smoke detectors seem to work best at detecting flaming fires while photoelectric smoke detectors tend to respond faster to smoldering fires. Unsure of which type you should select? For optimal protection, consider a dual-sensor smoke alarm that incorporates both technologies.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

While smoke detectors alert you to smoke, carbon monoxide detectors sound an alarm when toxic levels of carbon monoxide are present. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas. The fact carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled is what makes it such a danger. Like smoke detectors, it is recommended that you install CO monitors near bedrooms and on each level of the home. It’s recommended that you place additional CO alarms within 5 to 20 feet of common CO sources such as a furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces. Our selection of combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are another smart way to protect your family.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are a vital piece of fire safety equipment. Having a fire extinguisher within reach can help you put out small, contained fires and create a path to safety. There are 3 basic types of residential fire extinguishers. Make sure you have the right types of fire extinguishers in your home to fight different sorts of fires.

Class A Extinguishers are designed to put out fires related to common combustibles including wood, paper, trash and plastics.

Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids like gasoline, grease and oil.  

Class C Extinguishers are for fires related to electrical equipment – wires, motors and appliances. Note: Always unplug an electrical device before trying to put out a fire.

Multi-purpose A:B:C fire extinguishers can be used for all three types of fires. Other multi-purpose fire extinguishers work best on pairs these classes, such as A-B or B-C. Dry chemical fire extinguishers are multi-purpose options that put out fires by coating them with a thin layer of powder or dust, which deprives the fire of oxygen and smothers it.

When using any type of fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:

“P” – Pull the pin.

“A” – Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.

“S” – Squeeze the lever slowly.

“S” – Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Tip: Keep your back to a clear exit when you use a fire extinguisher so you can make a quick escape if the fire cannot be controlled. 

It’s recommended that you have a fire extinguisher on every level of your home, spaced no more than 40 feet apart. It’s also a good idea to keep fire extinguishers in your garage, kitchen, basement and near exits to create an exit pathway.

Have a Fire Safety Plan

Part of keeping your family safe in a fire situation is creating a family safety plan or a fire escape plan. Talk about what to do in case of a fire. Know where your fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment is located. Check your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers at least once a year to ensure they are up to date and in good working order. Know how to get out of your home and have a safe meeting place. And last, but not least, practice your fire escape plan twice a year.

From fire escape ladders to smoke detectors – and even batteries for those smoke detectors – we have everything you need to make home fire safety a priority. Shop our large selection of fire safety equipment in store or online 24/7. Remember, we offer convenient curbside pickup and delivery options, as well as in-store returns for online purchases. And there’s no membership fee.