How to Create Your Own Fire Extinguisher With Household Items

Author Info

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Have you ever been worried about a small fire starting in your house? This will tell you how to easily make your own fire extinguisher with regular household items!

Ingredients

Baking Soda
Vinegar
Bottle, 1 Pint or larger
Cap
Toilet paper
Water

Steps

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Fill the plastic bottle with 1/3 cups vinegar.^{[1]
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Question

Can I use a napkin instead of toilet paper?

Community Answer

Yes, anything that will allow the vinegar access to the baking soda would work.

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Question

How can I make sure only water shoots out?

Community Answer

It's supposed to shoot out Co2 because Co2 is what puts out the fire, not just the water.

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How can I better understand the last step?

Community Answer

By pushing the bag of baking soda into the bottle, it will cause a chemical reaction with the vinegar, releasing carbon dioxide and water. All you have to do is push the bag into the bottle.

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Tips

Make sure the vinegar touches the baking soda when using.

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You can also use a larger bottle maybe, fill it only 3/4 full with liquid (2/3 water, 1/3 vinegar). Tie the baking soda in the toilet paper with string, leaving several inches of string and constructing the toilet paper/baking soda packet so it will still fit inside the opening of the bottle, but obviously high enough so it hangs from the string above the liquid. Insert a plastic drinking straw that bends at the top, making sure it is above the bottom of the bottle. Keep the straw and string in place by mashing chewed up chewing gum or caulking on a rope. When ready to use the fire extinguisher, shake it so the vinegar water engages the baking soda and you can aim the direction with your straw. (From Boy's Life Magazine circa 1970s.)

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Warnings

Do not let the vinegar touch the baking soda when in storage. If it does, open the cap.

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Please be careful when using the fire extinguisher. Don't get too close to the fire, and if you can't put it out, leave.

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Don't use this fire extinguisher or pour water on an electrical or grease fire. You could make matters worse. It is better to keep on hand a fire extinguisher rated for these types of fires.

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