Foolproof fire extinguisher

• Manufactured by First Alert
• 800-323-9005; www.firstalerttundra.com
• Cost: about $18

A typical fire doubles in size every 30 seconds, so the last thing you want to do when a dish towel bursts into flame on your cooktop is take the time to read a fire extinguisher’s operating instructions. That’s why the folks at First Alert have developed a more user-friendly extinguisher that operates like a common aerosol can. When a fire breaks out, just pop off the plastic cover and press the button—no rings, valves, or levers.

Although the 14-oz. Tundra extinguisher is only 9 in. tall, First Alert claims that it provides a spray time of 32 seconds (compared to the 8- to 13-second spray time of typical small and large extinguishers). The Tundra is effective against common fabric, paper, and wood fires as well as electrical and grease fires, and the spray cleans up with a damp cloth.