As per some safety laws in many parts of the United States and many other countries, a fire extinguisher is a must in offices and commercial areas. Apart from the extinguishers, the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms and water sprinklers should also be ensured. In USA alone, more than some three thousand people are killed due to fire. The absence of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and water sprinklers makes it impossible to control even the smallest fire that spreads all over and destroys everything in its path.

If you cannot afford to install a water sprinkler in your home or office, you can keep a fire extinguisher to help you in case a fire starts. Be sure that it remains in the perfect condition at all times so that whenever you need to use it, it does not let you down. Follow these steps to ensure that your fire extinguisher remains ready to use always.

• Check that the body is always clean. There should not be coats of dust on it which can jam the levers.
  
• There is a gauge on top of the modern fire extinguishers. When the needle is within the green area it means that the extinguisher is okay to be used.
• If the extinguisher does not have the gauge on it, use the ultrasonic level indicator. It is a device that is portable and easy to use.
• Make sure that the extinguisher is kept within reach. Do not put it behind cupboards or other heavy objects. In case of fire you will not have time to make it free.
• Always ensure that the seal is intact. In most cases a needle or a pin is present to keep the levers apart. When the pin is removed the levers can be pressed to release the foam inside.
  
• As a precaution, most manufacturers recommend shaking the cylinder to ensure that the chemicals inside do not lose their properties. So it is your duty to do that every month.
• For complete safety of your extinguisher, have a hydrostatic pressure test conducted at least a year. This will let you know if the cylinder is in the best condition or not.
• The gauge on top is just like a liquid level indicator. Always keep an eye on it whenever you pass by. If the needle has dropped within the red zone, it means that the chemicals inside have lost their properties. You need to take it to the manufacturer at once.