Hopefully you never have to deal with a fire in your home kitchen. However, accidents do happen, and there is a chance this will happen to you some day. You've probably heard advice for putting out kitchen fires such as "pour baking soda on it" or "just aim the sink sprayer at the base of the fire." If the fire is still tiny when you catch it, sure — these methods might work. But there is a more responsible approach to take: get a fire extinguisher. They are not just for public buildings and commercial kitchens. Here's what you need to know about buying a fire extinguisher for your kitchen.

Look for a Type A-B-C fire extinguisher.

You can typically find fire extinguishers at home improvement stores and big box stores. But when you come across the fire extinguisher aisle, you'll notice that they are all labeled with different letters. There are different types of fire extinguishers, denoted by the letter labels, and they all put out different kinds of fires.

Type A fire extinguishers extinguish cloth, wood, and paper fires. Type Bs put out grease fires, and type Cs put out electrical fires. You can probably picture any of these occurring in the kitchen. Luckily, you don't need to keep three different types of fire extinguisher on hand because most brands also make Type A-B-C fire extinguishers that deal with all three. That's your best bet for a kitchen.

Opt for a smaller size.

You'll see big fire extinguishers that you can barely lift, and smaller ones the size of a quart of milk. The smaller extinguisher is your better bet. You'll have an easier time lifting and maneuvering it in case of an emergency, which can make all the difference. Chances are, if the kitchen fire has gotten so big that you need a huge fire extinguisher to put it out, it's a problem best dealt with by calling 911 anyways. 

Learn how to use it.

A fire extinguisher does not do much good if you don't know how to use it! Basically, there are three steps. You pull the plug, aim at the base of the fire, and compress the trigger. Don't be shocked by a little kickback! If you need help figuring out how to use your fire extinguisher, stop by a fire station in your area. Fire fighters are usually happy to teach you this skill during their downtime. 

Reach out to a company like County Fire Inc. to learn more.