Home safety: First Alert makes a non-toxic, sustainable fire extinguisher

I started thinking about home fire extinguishers, among many other products, after my recent article on PFAS ("forever" chemicals). That's when I realized that we had left our fire extinguishers behind when we moved over two years ago. Before purchasing new ones, I wanted to make sure I was making an eco-friendly and sustainable choice. I made my decision after reading many reviews, including ones from Wirecutter, Popular Mechanics, Good Housekeeping, and The Spruce, and after doing some research on extinguishing agents.

I decided on the First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher, which got high marks in nearly every review I read. I purchased mine from the local Lowe's ($25 each, or $40 for two).

I made my choice based on these criteria:

• All-metal construction except for mounting bracket, pressure gauge face, and saftey seal (minimal plastic)

• Rechargeable (by a certified fire equipment dealer or fire protection company), so reusable

• Non-toxic extinguishing agent made from monoammonium phosphate (ABC dry chemical). This substance can, however, be an irritant to skin and eyes, and to the nose, throat and lungs if inhaled. (I searched for "monoammonium phosphate safety data sheet" and read many assessments, like this one from the US Forest Service.)

• Certified by UL Solutions to put out class A, B, and C fires: Class A is for wood, paper, plastic, and trash; class B is for liquids and gases; and class C is for electrical fires

• Reasonably priced

• Relatively lightweight at 4.5 pounds

• Bonus: Fully recyclable packaging, except for some tape to seal the product box

Important: Avoid extinguishers labeled "HFC," or hydrofluorocarbon, which is a PFAS chemical. (Home fire extinguishers labeled “Dry Chemical” or “Carbon Dioxide” are unlikely to contain PFAS chemicals.)

That's about all I have to say about fire extinguishers, except that I hope I never have to use mine.