Fire Safety Stick vs. Powder: Why Traditional Extinguishers Cause More Damage
A side-by-side comparison of performance, mess, and maintenance for car, home, and caravan safety.
The Hidden Danger of Powder: Corrosive Damage
“While a dry powder extinguisher might put out a fire, the aftermath can be just as devastating as the flames themselves. When a powder unit is discharged into an engine bay or electrical area, it releases a fine, corrosive dust that finds its way into every crevice. This residue is notoriously difficult to clean and begins to eat away at wiring, sensors, and metal components immediately.
In contrast, the Fire Safety Stick leaves zero residue. It uses a clean potassium-based vapour that suppresses the fire without damaging your vehicle’s delicate electronics or mechanical parts. Choosing the Fire Safety Stick isn’t just about putting out the fire—it’s about saving the car, caravan, or equipment you’ve worked hard for.”
“Most people buy a fire extinguisher to save property, but using a standard dry powder extinguisher often causes far more damage than the fire itself. The residue is not only difficult to clean, but it is highly corrosive. It will instantly ruin electronics, corrode engine components in vehicles, and destroy valuable interiors. For car enthusiasts and commercial fleets, the cost of residue damage can easily exceed the cost of the fire itself. This section outlines why the messy alternatives are simply not worth the hidden risks.”
A Clean Break: How Aerosol Inhibition Technology Works (The FSS Advantage)
“The true distinction in the FSS vs Powder extinguisher debate lies in the science. While powder relies on smothering the fire with corrosive residue, the FSS uses advanced aerosol technology. As detailed on our Science page, the aerosol chemically interrupts the fire’s chain reaction at the molecular level. This means the Fire Safety Stick requires no liquid or powder to extinguish the fire, resulting in zero residue and zero secondary damage to your valuables. It’s the cleanest, most effective break from traditional, messy systems.”
Comparison Table: FSS vs Traditional Extinguishers
“Ultimately, the choice between the FSS vs Powder Extinguisher comes down to long-term cost and asset protection.”
A standard powder extinguisher lasts 7 seconds. See how the Fire Safety Stick saved a caravan from a gas explosion when traditional units would have failed.
Clive Saves Caravan Owner From Fire With a Fire Safety Stick!
Why Every Caravan, Campervan & Motorhome Owner Should Carry a Fire Safety Stick
When you’re on the road, safety should always travel with you. Whether you’re heading off-grid in your motorhome, enjoying weekends in your caravan, or road-tripping in a campervan, fire safety can mean the difference between a minor incident and a devastating loss. That’s where the Fire Safety Stick comes in, a compact, innovative extinguisher that’s changing the game for mobile adventurers.
Real-Life Proof: A Caravan Fire Successfully Tackled
In June 2022, a couple experienced every camper’s nightmare — a gas explosion behind the fridge in their caravan. While they escaped unharmed, the fire quickly spread inside a hard-to-reach cavity. Despite the efforts of neighbours, the fire continued.
That’s when Clive Brocklehurst stepped in with his FSS100 (100-second Fire Safety Stick). Unlike traditional extinguishers, the Fire Safety Stick’s vapour-based discharge reached deep into the cavity — extinguishing the flames completely and preventing reignition. His quick response not only saved the caravan from further damage but also demonstrated just how versatile and powerful this lightweight extinguisher truly is.
Here’s how Clive described it in his own words:
“We heard a bang and a scream from a neighbouring caravan. The couple were inside when there was a gas explosion — both managed to escape unharmed, but the flames took hold in the cavity behind the fridge.”
“Several guys ran to rescue, disconnecting the mains electric and isolating the gas. The fire stick worked wonders in the cavity, reaching areas traditional extinguishers would not have been able to reach. I certainly recommend them to everyone to have one close to hand.”
“Not sure if you remember, but I only purchased it from you two weeks ago at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC.”
Clive’s experience is a compelling example of how the Fire Safety Stick can make a real difference, especially when every second counts.
Image provided by Clive
1. Compact & Lightweight — Ideal for Life on the Road
One of the standout features of the Fire Safety Stick is its portable design. Traditional extinguishers can be bulky and heavy, not ideal for the limited storage in caravans and campervans. The Fire Safety Stick, however, is:
Ultra-lightweight (weighing as little as 215g)
Slim and compact – easy to mount or store in a drawer
- FREE mounting clip – a free mounting clip comes with every Fire Safety Stick
Available in different burn times (50s & 100s)
That means more room for your gear, and less weight to haul, something every van-lifer appreciates.
2. Versatility: One Stick for All Major Fire Classes
When you’re travelling, you never know what type of fire might break out. The Fire Safety Stick is highly effective on:
Class A fires – wood, paper, textiles
Class B fires – flammable liquids like petrol or diesel
Class C fires – gases such as propane or butane
- Class F fires – cooking oils and fats
Electrical fires – perfect for campervans with gadgets, inverters, and wiring
Unlike traditional extinguishers that are often designed for specific fire types, this one tool can tackle almost anything.
3. Gets Into Hard-to-Reach Spaces
Clive’s story shows a key advantage: the Fire Safety Stick doesn’t need a direct line of sight. Its vapour discharge flows like smoke into tight areas – behind fridges, under beds, around gas lockers, reaching the fire at its core.
This makes it an excellent solution for enclosed or awkward spaces typical in caravans, where accessing the source of a fire quickly is often difficult.
4. Safe to Use Indoors – Even Around People & Pets
Most extinguishers release harmful chemicals or leave behind corrosive residue. The Fire Safety Stick is different:
Non-toxic
Safe to breathe
Leaves no damaging mess
Won’t ruin electronics
So if you ever have to use it inside your caravan or motorhome, you can rest easy knowing your space won’t be filled with toxic residue, and your equipment won’t be ruined.
5. An Incredible Shelf Life – 15+ Years
Unlike most traditional extinguishers, which should be regularly serviced and typically have a shelf life of just 5 years, the Fire Safety Stick lasts for over 15 years without any annual servicing.
That’s peace of mind you can pack with you, year after year.
6. Built for the Journey: Durable & Reliable
Life on the road means constant movement, bumps, vibrations, and changing temperatures, and for traditional fire extinguishers, that can mean reduced reliability over time. But the Fire Safety Stick is designed differently.
Unlike conventional models, the Fire Safety Stick:
Is not a pressurised container, so there’s no risk of leaking or spontaneously losing pressure
Won’t degrade from vibration, heat, or cold, making it ideal for mobile homes and outdoor storage
Retains its full discharge capability, even after years of bouncing down rough roads
Whereas traditional extinguishers might lose effectiveness if not serviced regularly, especially when stored in fluctuating climates or exposed to travel wear and tear, the Fire Safety Stick remains 100% ready to use, every time.
In other words, it’s not just fire-safe, it’s road-trip tough.
7. Eco-Friendly & Clean
Travelling light also means travelling responsibly. The Fire Safety Stick:
Emits no harmful chemicals into the environment
Leaves no waste
Requires no clean-up
It’s a smart choice for anyone living a more sustainable, mobile lifestyle.
Why Every Camper Should Have One
Clive’s story isn’t just a one-off, it’s a reminder that being prepared can save lives and property. Whether you use gas for cooking, have electrical setups for solar panels, or carry fuel for generators, a fire can happen when you least expect it.
Here’s why the Fire Safety Stick is perfect for caravan and motorhome owners:
✅ Extremely lightweight and easy to store
✅ Covers multiple classes of fire
✅ Gets into cavities traditional extinguishers can’t
✅ Safe for confined indoor use
✅ Leaves no corrosive residue
✅ Long shelf life and no servicing
✅ Works when seconds matter
Final Thoughts
If you travel in a caravan, campervan, or motorhome, don’t rely on outdated fire extinguishers that might fail when it counts. Equip yourself with a Fire Safety Stick, just like Clive did, and you’ll have a safer, smarter, and more dependable way to tackle fire emergencies.
It might be the smallest item in your van, but it could make the biggest difference.
Ready to protect your adventure?
Find out more or order your Fire Safety Stick today at www.firesafetystick.com