Using a fire extinguisher might seem like a pretty simple thing, but in reality, there is a science to it. Of course, almost everyone has heard the acronym P.A.S.S. (Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side) which helps you remember how to use the fire extinguisher, but there are some other letters that you need to be aware of as well.
On a fire extinguisher, you will find a combination of letters describing what type of fire you can use it for. The common ones that you will find on an extinguisher in a residential home are A, B, or C. If the extinguisher is marked with an A, that means it can be used on wood-based products. If there is a B on it, it can be used on gasoline products, and the C means that you can use it on electrical fires.
The optimal extinguisher for a home would be one that had all these three letters on it since that would be useable on most fires that you would encounter.