Every Hong Kong household should have at least one Fire
Services Department (FSD)-certified water-based fire extinguisher — and every
family member, including your domestic helper, should know how to use it
correctly. The all-new #1O1OHome Fire Safety video series from 1O1O is
available in four languages: Cantonese, English, Filipino, and
Indonesian, so helpers from the Philippines or Indonesia can learn in their
native language alongside the whole family, building fire safety awareness
together and staying prepared before an emergency strikes.
What Is a Water-Based Fire Extinguisher — and Why Does Every Hong Kong Home Need One?
A water-based fire extinguisher is a lightweight, portable first-response firefighting tool designed for homes and small premises. Its eco-friendly water-based formula effectively suppresses Class A fires (solid materials such as wood and paper), Class B fires (liquids such as cooking oil), and Class F fires (cooking fats), and is also suitable for Class E electrical fire emergencies.
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department actively encourages residents to equip their homes with the "Three Fire Safety Essentials" — a standalone smoke detector, a fire extinguisher, and a fire blanket — to seize the critical window of opportunity to suppress a fire at its earliest stage. Under revised regulations, residents who install approved portable fire-fighting equipment in their own homes are now exempt from the mandatory annual inspection requirement, making it more convenient than ever to stay prepared.
(Source: Hong Kong Fire Services Department Official Website)
Compared with traditional dry powder extinguishers, water-based fire extinguishers offer the following advantages:
- Eco-friendly and non-toxic: The extinguishing agent is harmless to the human body and can be sprayed directly on a person to aid escape
- Dual suppression mechanism: Rapidly cools the fire while forming a water film on the surface to cut off oxygen and prevent re-ignition
- Easy post-fire clean-up: Leaves no powder residue, minimising impact on your home environment
- Officially certified: Approved by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, ensuring quality and reliability
How Do You Use a Water-Based Fire Extinguisher Correctly? Remember "Pull, Aim, Press, Sweep"
When facing an early-stage fire, operating the extinguisher correctly is key to buying precious time. Simply remember the four-step "Pull, Aim, Press, Sweep" technique:
- Pull — Remove the safety pin
- Aim — Direct the nozzle at the base of the fire
- Press — Squeeze the operating lever to discharge the extinguishing agent
- Sweep — Move the nozzle from side to side until the fire is fully extinguished
Please observe the following safety precautions during use:
- Begin spraying from approximately 2 to 3 metres away from the fire source
- Keep your back facing the nearest exit to ensure your escape route remains clear
- Stand upwind to avoid smoke blowing towards you
- If the fire is too large or heavy smoke is present, abandon firefighting immediately and evacuate without delay
Watch the 1O1O Tutorial Video Now →
Your Domestic Helper Can Learn Too! Free Multilingual Tutorial Videos Available
Home fire safety is a shared responsibility — and domestic helpers, who manage day-to-day household tasks, play a critical role. However, language barriers often prevent helpers from fully absorbing safety knowledge delivered in Cantonese.
1O1O has specifically addressed this need by producing tutorial videos in four language versions, ensuring every household member can fully understand the content:
|
Language Version |
Intended Audience |
|
🇭🇰 Cantonese |
Local family members |
|
🇬🇧 English |
English-speaking families or expatriates |
|
🇵🇭 Filipino (Tagalog) |
Filipino domestic helpers |
|
🇮🇩 Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) |
Indonesian domestic helpers |
All language versions are available to watch for free on the 1O1O official website. We encourage employers to proactively share the video link with their helpers, so they can learn at their own pace during their free time — strengthening the entire household's emergency response capability.
Watch All Language Versions on the 1O1O Website →
Where Should You Store a Fire Extinguisher at Home?
Storing your fire extinguisher correctly ensures it is always ready when needed. Here are the key storage recommendations:
- Keep it visible and accessible: Place it in a prominent location such as near the kitchen or in the corridor — but never block an escape route
- Avoid heat and humidity: Keep away from the stove and direct sunlight to prevent component deterioration
- Store upright: Never lay the extinguisher on its side or upside down, as this can affect performance
- Inspect regularly: Check at least once a month that the pressure gauge needle is in the normal green zone
- Monitor expiry: Check the product's expiry date and arrange timely replacement
1O1O recommends storing your redeemed extinguisher in a cool location at home — because the best safety measure is one that is ready before you ever need it.
How Can 1O1O Customers Redeem a Fire Extinguisher with 300 Club Points?
1O1O's points redemption programme makes it simple and rewarding to add an extra layer of home protection. There are two convenient ways to redeem:
|
Redemption Method |
Details |
|
💬 WhatsApp a Service Consultant |
Contact a 1O1O service consultant directly via WhatsApp
for assisted redemption |
|
🏪 Visit a Store in Person |
Head to a 1O1O Agentic AI Store and redeem on the spot using your Club points |
Eligibility: Current 1O1O customers with 300 or more Club points may participate.^
^620ML water-based fire extinguisher, certified by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department. Redemption details and terms are subject to 1O1O's official announcement. #Points redemption is subject to applicable terms and conditions.
More Home Safety Content Coming Soon
1O1O's #1O1OHome Fire Safety series will continue to roll
out practical tutorial videos covering a wide range of home safety topics. Stay
tuned to the 1O1O Facebook Page and 1O1O Official
Website for the latest updates — and take the next step towards a
safer, more secure home for your whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between a water-based fire extinguisher and a traditional dry powder extinguisher?
Water-based fire extinguishers use an eco-friendly, non-toxic formula that is easy to clean up after use and can be sprayed directly on a person to assist escape. Traditional dry powder extinguishers, while effective across a broader range of fire classes, emit powder that reduces visibility and can cause significant damage to electrical equipment and the home environment.
Q2: What does "certified by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department" mean?
It means the product has been reviewed and approved by the FSD and is legally permitted for sale and use in Hong Kong. Residents can also download the official FSD mobile app and use the "Portable Equipment Easy Verification" function to scan the product label and verify its certification instantly.
Q3: What are the steps to redeem a fire extinguisher using 1O1O Club points?
Eligible 1O1O customers with 300 or more Club points can either WhatsApp a 1O1O service consultant or visit a 1O1O Agentic AI Store in person to complete the redemption of one 620ML water-based fire extinguisher.
Q4: Where is the safest and most effective place to store a fire extinguisher at home?
Store it in a visible, easily accessible location such as near the kitchen or in the corridor. Avoid humid, high-temperature, or sun-exposed environments, and ensure it never obstructs an escape route.
Q5: My domestic helper doesn't speak Cantonese — how can she learn to use the fire extinguisher?
1O1O has produced dedicated tutorial videos in Filipino (Tagalog) and Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), available free of charge on the 1O1O official website. Your helper can watch and learn independently in her native language — no translation required.
