Using your home fire extinguisher to quickly put out small fires or suppress flames until the firefighters arrive can keep your family and pets safe and keep costly property damage to a minimum. But, to safely and effectively use a fire extinguisher you should be aware of how to quickly assess the situation and the best actions to take if you are faced with a fire emergency. As a homeowner, you should take the time to establish a fire plan with your family, choose the right fire extinguisher for your home and learn how to use your home fire extinguisher.