Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Fires are a more common problem than you might think in survival situations. Most people will have to cook their food over open fires and many of them will not use proper safety precautions. And if there is no running water, sprinkler systems will not work and locals will not be able to use garden hoses to extinguish outdoor fires. And don't count on the fire department to save the day. If things are bad, they're more likely to stay at home and protect their families, and I wouldn't really blame them.
In this article I'm going to focus on fire extinguishers and the various types. You should already have a fire extinguisher in your home, but if you're preparing for a major disaster, it's a good idea to get a few extras.
Fire needs fuel and oxygen to burn. Simply put, fire extinguishers either cool the burning fuel or displace the surrounding oxygen. There are four types of fire extinguishers, each for a different type of fire. There is also a numerical rating that indicates how much fire the extinguisher is able to handle (the higher the number, the more it can handle). Here are the four types:
