We run across these stories ALL the time.  Fire extinguishers are the first response against indoor fires. Properly functioning fire extinguishers can put out the majority of early stage fires. In order to protect the lives of those who you are responsible for it is important to ensure that your fire extinguishers are working properly. Here are 10 recent incidents in which fire extinguishers were stolen or vandalized leaving a building at risk in the case of Dickenson High or and in extreme cases like the motel fire in Hoover Alabama, resulted in loss of life.

1. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2010/06/08/extinguishers-stolen-high-school-again

2. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2009/11/17/fire-extinguisher-and-related-vandalism-costs-mississippi-school-district-30000

3. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2010/03/08/vandals-set-extinguisher-fl-elementary-school

4. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2009/12/17/extinguisher-vandalism-results-6000-fine-drew-university

5. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2010/05/24/miami-students-cause-10k-extinguisher-vandalism-damage

6. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2010/03/23/extinguisher-used-possible-bomb-boise

7. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2010/02/12/boston-city-and-ma-state-buildings-not-following-codes

8. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2010/01/31/tragic-hotel-fire-leads-four-student-deaths-nearby-extinguisher-was-operable

9. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2010/01/31/cayce-sc-high-school-sustains-75000-damage-vandalism

10. http://www.engaugeinc.net/blog/2009/12/17/i-only-wanted-make-it-snow-0

Stories like these are testament to the fact that in this day and age, there is no excuse for not monitoring fire extinguishers. A thirty-day checkup is simply not good enough, especially when we have the option to monitor extinguisher’s 24 hours a day.