I don't know about code requirements to have an extinguisher mounted in the kitchen - that sounds like a local requirement. (Not a bad idea though!) We have one in our kitchen. Would it be allowed within your community to mount it in a hallway or mudroom (etc) immediately adjacent to the kitchen? Ease of access and visibility are two key components when the flames get going. At that point it's action time, not stop to think or look around time. I'm not trying to sound cold or hard - I've just been in a lot of burned out homes - and that is never, ever, a good thing.

MileHighDiva - thank you for posting this! I had not thought about where my fire ext will go. This thread and the recent one about outlet color/visibility have given me a lot to think about.

So, do tell, what other safety things are you doing to get home owner's ins. discounts?

I had to respond bc we live in Boulder, and I'm assuming your user id is in reference to our fab capitol! Love love love living in CO -- best choice we made was to move here 4.5 years ago.

But to answer your question: we don't have one in the kitchen. Our closest extinguisher is in the stairwell to the basement. When we redid our kitchen 4 years ago it was not required and, to the best of my local knowledge, it is still not (here, in Boulder Co.).

Ours is under the sink and unfortunately, I reached directly for it a few years ago when the sweet potato casserole caught on fire at Thanksgiving. If we put it anywhere else, it would risk getting moved. We leave it in the #1 position under the sink and I hope I never have to reach for it again.

We actually saved the sweet potatoes before having to use the fire extinguisher, but I earned my "calm during an emergency" status when my mom and sister were screaming!!!

dseng, thank you for your perspective as a firefighter! I would hate to have an accident that could have been prevented, but was not, because of my "kitchen vanity".

editionk, take your receipt for your kitchen fire extinguisher to your insurance agent and they'll apply a recurring discount the next time your policy renews. They may allow you to email them a scan of it. I think it increases with carbon monoxide detectors etc.

In addition, every couple of years I take an online defensive driving course for about $20.00 to keep my defensive driving discount. The course more than pays for itself with the recurring discounts, but you have to take it every two or three years.

rmkitchen, yes, I live in our fab capitol. I love Boulder! I did my undergrad there. Pasta Jays is my favorite restaurant. Their stuffed shells are the best. We live in a beautiful state. Where did you relocate from?

Everyone, I just checked and it's not a code or legal thing, but you do get a discount on your homeowners insurance policy.

brianadarnell, I'm glad that you were able to salvage the casserole. What is Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes? I hope I'm if ever in that situation. If so, I hope can remain calm.

Ours is under our sink too. Cleaning supplies on one side, fire extinguisher on the other...is this a safe spot?

Ours sits on the hearth of the fireplace in our kitchen. We have a freestanding gas fp sitting on a tile hearth. With a home that is 120 yrs old and a frame and floors of heart pine I do not kid myself that we could do anything but the most rudimentary fire fighting. Our plan has always been to get out immediately. I keep a large box of baking soda on the counter by the gas stove and a large lid out on the counter when we are cooking. c

I was advised to put it midway between the most likely source of fire (in a kitchen, obviously the stove) and the main escape route.
That way, you can be backing out of the room as you grab the extinguisher, try to fight the fire, then escape if the fire gets out of control.
If you have to go PAST the fire to get the extinguisher, the fire could cut you off from escape.
:)

There have been a few discussions about this over the years.

It should be close to the stove, but not so close that if there was a good blaze going you couldn't go near it to grab the extinguisher. Someone suggested like 10 feet away, in an obvious, visible spot. Wall mounted or on the floor.

I say an obvious spot because you might not be the person nearest to it, or who needs to grab it. It might be a guest, or a relative, or a babysitter, and if it's not right out in the open, or if it's in a cabinet or closet, obscured or stuck behind the broom, and they lose precious seconds, that's a problem.

I would also remind people how little time they have in any fire before things can get out of control. The idea of "fighting" a fire with a home fire extinguisher is not really a great option. I'm NOT a firefighter, but I'd say if you have a kitchen or any other fire, the first thing you should do is call 911, THEN find the fire extinguisher to help you make a quick attempt to put it out, then make a fast exit.

I'd love to see this in the FAQs-- I don't believe it's there, and wish I had thought about this when we were planning our renovation.