Consumer Reports breaks down the simple steps you need to keep in mind to make sure your fire extinguisher works if you need it.

1. Rust and corrosion on the fire extinguisher. Any physical damage to the device should also lead to disposing of the extinguisher. 2. A failed Hydrostatic test.

With the mass distribution of the Pocket Fire Extinguisher, we aim to lessen this average by at least 15 percent," she says. The company was surprised to receive a bulk order from Belgium.

And if the fire extinguisher is ten years old or older, it’s a good idea to replace it. Some fire departments take out of date fire extinguishers and discharge them for training.

With their low prices and ease of use, aerosol fire sprays are a tempting purchase. But the sprays are no substitute for a fire extinguisher. In fact, in Consumer Reports' tests the sprays ...