Before putting a fire extinguisher in your home, it is important to know what kind of maintenance it needs, how and where to refill it, either because it has been used up or expired, and above all the best place to put it.

The number of extinguishers you need depends on the size of the home. If it has fewer than 50-60 square meters, one extinguisher will be enough. If the house is bigger or has two stories, it is better to install more, at least one per floor.

Where do you put them?
Extinguishers must be out of the direct sun light and away from sources of heat. So they should not be near the kitchen. Excessive moisture also damages them, so bathrooms are also ruled out.  

To fulfill its main function the fire extinguisher should be kept in a visible place so you can access them whenever necessary -transit areas like hallways or staircases-. It you want to hide them for aesthetic or decorative reasons, everyone in the home should know where they are. Don't forget that if you use the extinguisher it will always be in an emergency, so it is best to not have to use it.

Maintenance: simple and necessary
The extinguisher needs a revision about every three months to stay in good condition. You also need to check its condition continuously to detect possible irregularities:
- Check to see if it has a leak or is dripping, either through a crack in the casing or a malfunction of the nozzle.
- Check the pressure gauge. The needle should be within the accepted limits. These are usually shown in colors: reds mean pressure that is low or incorrect. Green means normal.
- Make sure the instructions are clear and not rendered illegible because of age or moisture.
- Make sure the levers and the nozzle are in perfect condition. Change them right away if they are deteriorated or not attached properly to the extinguisher.
- Check for corrosion all around the tank.
- Make sure no one in the house, mainly children, have broken or manipulated the safety seals. If that is the case, change them as soon as possible to guarantee the extinguisher will work in a time of need.
- Check the expiration date of the contents of the tank.

Two important issues
When you use a fire extinguisher, even if you have not used up all the contents, you have to refill it. Many companies will do this for a modest price.

Still, every year you have to carry out a full inspection fo the device because the charge can suffer damage from excessive moisture or a lack of it. The same companies that refill the tanks can do these periodic checks. These companies must meet legal norms and offer consumers guarantees of their work.

Every five years the extinguisher must undergo a hydraulic pressure test to make sure the tank is air tight and strong. After the checks and tests, the company that provides these services will put a ticket on the extinguisher saying when the next check-ups are due.
The maximum duration of a extinguisher as set by law is 20 years after its manufacture. After that you have to get a new one.