When it comes to fire safety , almost every home in the country now has at least one smoke detector — but about a quarter of us still haven’t installed fire extinguishers. That’s unfortunate, because they help prevent thousands of house fires every year. “People often don’t want to invest a few dollars into a safety product. But a small investment can go a long way if you need it,” says home safety expert Philip Farina. And it’s not enough just to buy a couple of fire extinguishers. In order for them to be effective, you also need to choose the proper type, place them in optimal locations and keep them maintained. It’s also vital to know when you should use a fire extinguisher and when to run. To help you understand all of these factors, here’s our guide to home fire extinguishers. On This Page What Is a Home Fire Extinguisher?…