A couple of weeks back one of the power plugs at home melted and started smoking. Luckily Nat was in the house at the time and smelled something burning and managed to turn off the plug before anything serious happened. A few days after that there was the fire incident that happened in my office building. Because of these two events I decided I should be “fire ready”.
I have a small fire cabinet in my apartment. I didn’t put it there, it came with the flat and it had 3 empty fire extinguishers inside which I never replaced or even threw out (they looked nice in the cabinet). I decided it was time I got them filled so I took the 3 empty canisters and headed to Rihab Complex in Hawalli. I had seen some fire supply stores on the first floor behind the video game stores and figured they would refill my canisters. Well, turns out although they do refill empty fire extinguisher bottles they wouldn’t refill mine since they were around 25 years old and so weren’t compatible with their machines.
So, I decided to get some new bottles. I figured they were going to cost me an arm and a leg but was completely surprised by how cheap the fire extinguishers turned out to be. There are two main types of extinguishers I found, powder and CO2 based ones. Both put out the same kind of fires but according to the salesman the powder one is cheaper but messier while the CO2 extinguishers cost more but don’t leave a mess. I ended up picking up two small 1KG powder fire extinguishers and one larger 2KG CO2 extinguisher from the shop pictured above. There are around 6 to 8 fire supply shops next to each other which means you can haggle on the price. The 1KG powder extinguishers cost KD2.5 each while the 2KG CO2 extinguisher costs KD8 (4KG powder costs KD8 as well), I picked three of them up for KD11.
So now you know where you can pick up fire extinguishers from and how much they cost so there really isn’t an excuse why you shouldn’t also be fire ready. I put one of the small extinguishers in Nat’s car since she didn’t have one (my car came with one) and I am now going to pick up a few more extinguishers this weekend for my parents home. Its better to be safe than sorry.
32 replies on “Fire Safety”
if I remember correctly electrical is (class C), for general home use you should get ABC (combustible materials/combustible liquids/electrical).
Both the powder and CO2 extinguishers I got are ABC.
Thanks for the info…!!
The fire at the Animal Friends League shelter was indicative of what could happen anywhere in Kuwait. Buildings/homes aren’t built with power spike protection. Worst case scenario is a major fire and least case would be for all your electrical appliances to be blown out. Power spikes/surges are common around the world, but look at all the electricity-related problems we have in Kuwait – and no laws governing building codes for electricity. Zap.
Yeah, good to have extinguishers and other safety equipment (like fold-away ladders and smoke detectors). Something else to think about – put stickers on your windows saying that you have a family pet inside. They have them in the States incase firemen think the place is evacuated in the event of a fire.
How very wise I’ll do the same as soon as I’m back in Kuwait , and I didn’t know they are so cheap
Than you
Regards
Did these shops happen to stock smoke detectors?
Mark your fire extinguisher will not wake you up in the middle of the night if a fire breaks out.
Get a battery operated smoke alarm fitted in every room.
https://firekills.direct.gov.uk/index.html
There’s great fire safety advise on that website and it’s available in numerous languages too including Arabic.
BuJassim: The flat already has a smoke detector
Jo: Yes and also cool emergency exit signs and stuff 🙂
I have been thinking of getting some extinguishers for the past year or so but kept delaying it. I frankly did not expect that they are as cheap. I should also get one for my Xterra as for some reason, all Xterra’s sold in Bahrain does not have an extinguisher nor first aid kits (which are standard features)
Gr8 info. I gotta get a few of those too.
most useful post ever
Great info Mark, thanks. I remember the only time I bought a fire extinguisher was around 10 years ago but it was for a different reason. Self deffense (it was 25th of February and I had a new car).
Hi great post one thing i’d like to add is that you should have a smoke detector in your house…having it there in a random place is not enough it should be placed exactley above where there is a heavely used electricity output (power plugs) and you should have a gas detector in your kitchen if you use a gas stove in your apartment…btw i got these tips from a highly ranked officer in the KUFD
Thanks 4 the info. will get one soon and will check the one in my care too……….
also you have to be careful for the expiry date
cheers
lol @ fire extinguishers on 25th feb to ward off the %@#?&*#. Why didn’t I think of that?
I always found it funny how they insisted on carrying one in your car and not keeping these in your home where there may be a bigger chance for a fire.
Wonderful post Mark..THANK YOU!
I’ve always had fire-extinguishers within access at our house.
Mark…it is wise to have fire extinguishers handy, but the question at hand is ‘How many people, really know how to put out a fire the right way’? Well! just follow the PASS principle below:
P A S S
Pull: the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim: at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important – in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze: the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep: from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher – different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!
I have one ready next to my bedroom… but once i almost had a fire incident and I totally forgort about it so I just went old skool (cup of water…which am glad wasn’t an electrical fire)
I think u can go to the fire department and they do refills for free!
Bought 2 around 5 months ago with 4 smoke detectors 🙂
Good post. Would be useful if you publish some info. on how to use them too.
instructions are on the bottle when u get it
Hi Mark,
Can you please me for my research.
Is there any legal law in Kuwait that all establishments and offices building should installed smoke detector?
Thank you.
Elgin
Thanks for reminding me cuz I need one in my car too ! safety should always come first. thanks for sharing
Amzing that this country dont give more info on fire prevention. I hear way to often it is concrete it dont burn….
tha what about yout funrniture and fabrics inside the house… it becomes like an oven, while you die from the smoke fumes.
Another tip… next to your fire extinquisher keep a set of first aid kit..and a flash light, you never know if you need them. You can buy them in Ace Hardware for the same amount as a starbucks coffee…
By the way Mark you have more than one alarm.. you have a dog too right.. he will wake you up for sure.
its more like i have to wake my dog up lol
Great informative post. I hope you also have a fire extinguisher (and a first air kit) in your car. 🙂
where does one get smoke detectors in kuwait ????
very smart purchase. FYI, with mine as they age and the pressure inside depletes i stage a mock fire drill outside. setting a small fire and practice fighting the fire.
interesting point skip town
When we moved into our apartment I bought fire alarms as our place didn’t have them & I was surprised by that (why I’m surprised is beyond me at this point) Now a year later the harris is coming around to install alarms & give out extinguishers.