Fire is a major cause of loss to homeowners and businesses alike. While the video clip below from Everybody Loves Raymond has a humorous tone and happy ending, it does not always end up so comical.

We encourage you to take the time this week to check your fire extinguishers.

• Keep one in the kitchen and the garage
• Keep them full and well displayed
• Be sure that family members and employees know where the extinguishers are and how to use them

A little bit of precaution and planning may prevent a tragic loss.

Did You Know?

The first fire extinguisher of which there is any record was patented in England in 1723 by Ambrose Godfrey, a celebrated chemist at that time. It consisted of a cask of fire-extinguishing liquid containing a pewter chamber of gunpowder. This was connected with a system of fuses which were ignited, exploding the gunpowder and scattering the solution. This device was probably used to a limited extent, as Bradley’s Weekly Messenger for November 7, 1729, refers to its efficiency in stopping a fire in London.

The modern fire extinguisher was invented by British Captain George William Manby in 1818; it consisted of a copper vessel of 3 gallons (13.6 liters) of pearl ash (potassium carbonate) solution contained within compressed air.