A home fire extinguisher only helps if it’s the right kind and you can reach it fast. Here are four top-selling extinguishers, how they differ, and what the City of Toronto and Quebec.ca say to check before you buy one.
Quick answer
Affiliate links (paid links) below. Details
Check the label for three things: the ULC logo, ABC for multi-purpose, and a rating of at least 2A 10B C, which is the minimum Quebec.ca recommends. Then mount it near an exit, away from the stove.
A simple place to start: the Amerex B500 5 lb, ranked #14 in Fire Extinguishers when we checked. Its product page says it’s rated 2A:10B:C. Want one for the kitchen and one for the garage? The Strike First 5 lb two-pack page lists a UL/ULC rating of 3-A:10-B:C.
Prefer to watch? Here is the animated video walkthrough of how to choose a fire extinguisher. Short on time? Watch a quick Short on the label to look for, where to hang it, or how to keep it ready.
Four fire extinguishers, by how you’ll use them
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Amerex B500 5 lb ABC | Best as a first home extinguisher at the rating Quebec.ca asks for. #14 in Fire Extinguishers when we checked. A rechargeable all-metal 5 lb ABC dry chemical unit. The product page says it is UL rated 2A:10B:C, with a 14-second discharge, an aluminum valve and a wall bracket included. Skip it if you want the ULC mark confirmed on the page: this page says UL, so look for the ULC logo on the label. | See price |
| Strike First SF-ABC310 5 lb ABC, two-pack | Best for covering two spots, like the kitchen and the top of the basement stairs. #12 in Fire Extinguishers when we checked. Two 5 lb extinguishers with wall brackets. The product page lists a UL/ULC rating of 3-A:10-B:C, a 13-second discharge and an 8 to 10 foot range. Skip it if one extinguisher is enough for your home. | See price |
| Strike First 5 lb ABC | Best if you want the top seller with a wall hook included. #1 in Fire Extinguishers when we checked. A 5 lb ABC multi-purpose dry chemical unit, 4.5 kg, with a steel cylinder, a protective skirt, a stainless steel gauge and a reinforced aluminum handle. Skip it if you need the rating spelled out on the page: the page text doesn’t state a ULC mark or a rating, so check the label before you rely on it. | See price |
| Strike First SF-ABC110ST 2.5 lb | Best for a small space where a lighter 2.5 lb unit makes sense. #16 in Fire Extinguishers when we checked. The product page lists a 2.5 lb (1.13 kg) capacity, a UL/ULC rating of 1-A:10-B:C and U.S.C.G. approval. Skip it as your main home extinguisher if you want Quebec.ca’s 2A 10B C minimum: 1-A is lower than 2A. | See price |
Specs come from the retailer’s product pages and can change, so check the current page before you order.
What should you look for on the label?
Quebec.ca’s advice:
- Look for the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) logo. According to the Quebec government, all fire extinguishers must meet Canadian standards and display it. The City of Toronto says the extinguisher must be tested and listed by ULC.
- Choose a multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher marked ABC. A covers wood, paper or cloth fires, B covers flammable liquids and C covers live electrical equipment.
- Choose one rated at least 2A 10B C, printed on the label. A higher number in the A and B ratings means the extinguisher can handle a larger fire, according to the City of Toronto.
- Pick a model you can lift and use. The Quebec government advises a lightweight one, and the City of Toronto says you must be physically able to operate it.
Where should you put it?
Both sources agree on the basics:
- Keep it in plain view, near an exit, easy for you to reach and out of children’s reach. The City of Toronto lists the kitchen, the workshop, upstairs and the top of a basement stairwell as ideal spots.
- Keep it away from the stove and heaters. Both sources say not to put it too close to likely fire sources.
- The Quebec government says to mount it on a bracket made for it, at least 10 cm (4 in) above the floor and no higher than 1.5 m (5 ft), with the instructions visible and nothing hung on it.
How do you keep it ready?
Quebec.ca’s checks:
- Monthly: confirm it’s in place and the path to it is clear.
- Also check that the pressure needle is in the green and look for rust or damage. Weigh it to confirm it’s full.
- Yearly: have a qualified person inspect it.
- Refillable units: have them refilled every six years, or as soon as they’ve been used, even briefly.
- Disposable units: they last 12 years, and the date is on the bottom. Replace one that shows corrosion, leaks or clogged nozzles.
How do you use one?
The City of Toronto describes the PASS method:
- Pull the pin. Some models release differently, so read the manual.
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire from about 3 metres (10 feet) away.
- Squeeze the handle fully.
- Sweep side to side across the base of the fire until it appears out. Never turn your back on a fire, even if you think it is out.
Quebec.ca adds: if the fire spreads or there’s a lot of smoke, get out and call 911, and call 911 even if the fire seems to be out.
Common questions
Does the Strike First 5 lb page say it’s ULC rated? The product page text doesn’t state a ULC mark or a rating, so look at the label on the unit before you rely on it.
Why does one product page say UL and another UL/ULC? The Amerex B500 page says UL rated 2A:10B:C, and the Strike First two-pack page says UL/ULC rating 3-A:10-B:C. Check the label for the ULC logo either way.
Is a 2.5 lb extinguisher enough for the house? The Strike First SF-ABC110ST page lists 1-A:10-B:C, which is below the 2A 10B C Quebec.ca recommends, so it suits a small space better than a main home extinguisher.
Before you buy
- Look for the ULC logo and an ABC rating of at least 2A 10B C on the label.
- Decide where each one will go: the kitchen, the garage or workshop, and upstairs near the bedrooms.
- Buy a wall bracket if one isn’t included, and mount it where you can reach it on the way out.
- Put a monthly check on your calendar: it’s in place and the path to it is clear. While you’re there, check that the needle is in the green and look for damage.
- Also check your alarms. Our smoke alarm guide and carbon monoxide alarm guide cover where to put them.
Sources: City of Toronto, Fire extinguishers; Quebec.ca, Fire extinguisher. Product details come from the retailer’s product pages, so check the current page before you order.
Get new buying guides by email.
We send new guides only, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
