You can make a lot of choices to minimize the chance of a fire in your home, but you can never eliminate the possibility. That means you have to be prepared for a fire, too. That means making a fire escape plan, but also ensuring that your fire extinguisher is ready to help you stop a tiny fire before it grows.

Unpluggd offers 4 tips on how to know when to replace your fire extinguisher:

• Check with the manufacturer. Most extinguishers should work for 5 to 15 years, but you can check the label or check with the manufacturer for your model.
• Check the pressure gauge monthly. If you’re a renter especially, it’s impossible to know when your fire extinguisher was bought, so check the gauge. If the needle falls inside green area, you’re good to go. But if it falls anywhere else, it’s time to replace the extinguisher. If your model is older and doesn’t have a gauge, take it to a professional (or suggest it to your landlord, if they provided the extinguisher).
• Check the inspection sticker. Every extinguisher should have an inspection sticker or hang tag that lists a record of its maintenance checkups (it should be serviced annually). If the sticker is missing, replace the extinguisher right away for a new one with known history.
• Check for wear-and-tear. A cracked/ripped hose or nozzle, a missing locking pin or a wobbly or broken handle are all signs that it’s time to replace your fire extinguisher.

Go check your fire extinguishers, then use our home fire safety checklist to ensure that the rest of your home is also prepped. If you have any other tips on fire extinguishers, let us know in the comments or shoot us an email.