We've all seen fire extinguishers around—at home, in offices, on buses—but have you ever wondered how they really work? Or which one is the best in a certain situation?

Today, let's break them down in plain English and make sure we all know how to use them properly.

In general, fire extinguishers are grouped in different ways. First, based on how we move them: some are handheld (we carry them), and others are mounted on wheels (we push them). Then, based on how the fire-stopping chemical gets pushed out: some use a gas tank inside, some are pressurized already, and some use a chemical reaction to make pressure. Finally, and most importantly, they're divided by what's inside: dry powder, foam, carbon dioxide, clean water, or others. Each type works differently, so let's go over them one by one.

Dry powder extinguishers

This is one of the most common types we see around. Inside, there's a dry, fine powder made mainly of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), along with some additives that keep it dry and help it flow well. To use it, we rely on compressed carbon dioxide or nitrogen to blow the powder out of the nozzle and onto the fire.

What makes this one effective is the way the powder cuts off the fire's contact with air (oxygen), while also absorbing heat to cool things down. It's great for different types of fires, especially those involving electrical appliances or flammable liquids.

Foam extinguishers

Foam extinguishers are more old-school but still very useful. They actually contain two different liquids—one is aluminum sulfate, and the other is sodium bicarbonate solution. Normally, these liquids don't mix. But when we turn the extinguisher upside down to use it, they combine and react to create a large amount of carbon dioxide gas and foam.

The foam that gets pushed out then spreads over the burning material, cutting off its access to air and cooling it down. This type is great for putting out oil-based fires or fires involving flammable liquids, but we have to be careful not to knock it over accidentally when not in use, or it may mix and lose its effectiveness.

CO₂ (carbon dioxide) extinguishers

These extinguishers store liquid carbon dioxide under high pressure. When we press the handle, the liquid CO₂ turns into gas and shoots out of the nozzle, covering the fire. It works mainly by pushing away the oxygen in the air and cooling down the area, since turning CO₂ from liquid to gas sucks up a lot of heat.

They're especially useful in places like labs, server rooms, or anywhere with expensive electronics—because CO₂ leaves no mess and doesn't damage equipment.

Water-based extinguishers

Water is one of the oldest and most natural fire-fighting tools we have. It's cheap, easy to find, and safe to use in many situations. Water works by absorbing heat (a lot of it!), which cools down the burning area quickly. Plus, when water turns into steam, it expands a lot—about 1,700 times—helping to push out oxygen from around the flames and smother the fire.

If we spray water in a fine mist or fog, it works even better. It cools and chokes the fire at the same time, and can even help dilute flammable liquids or form a barrier that slows vapor release.

But remember—water isn't suitable for electrical fires or fires caused by oil or gas. That can be dangerous.

Mini (disposable) extinguishers

These are the small, super convenient fire extinguishers we can keep at home. They usually weigh less than 500 grams and don't have strong pressure—only about 0.8 MPa. They're one-time use only, and once we've sprayed them, we can't refill them.

Depending on what they contain, these little ones come in three main types:

• Mini halon-type (gas mist style)

• Mini dry powder type

• Mini foam type

They're handy for small fires at home, like a gas stove flare-up, an oil pan catching fire, or even a burning trash bin. Foam types are especially good for things like oil lamps, candles, or small fuel spills.

What's best for your space?

For homes, we usually recommend keeping a dry powder or mini extinguisher on hand. They're easy to use, cover a variety of fire types, and are quite affordable. For places with electronics or sensitive equipment, go for a CO₂ extinguisher—it keeps everything clean and damage-free. And in a garage or workshop where oil and gas are common, foam might be your best choice.

Let's all be fire-ready

We never want to see a fire start—but if it does, having the right extinguisher close by can make all the difference. Now that we know how each type works, we can choose the right one for our homes, offices, or workplaces.

Lykkers, do you have a fire extinguisher at home? If not, maybe it's time to get one. And if you do—check if it's still within its service period. Fire safety isn't just for big emergencies; it starts with being prepared in everyday life.