There is a moment in every workshop when the familiar hum of a machine reminds you how much heat is being generated just out of sight. Whether you are shaping a design with a laser cutter or pushing a long print through the night, both processes rely on concentrated heat and electronics working in perfect harmony. Most of the time everything behaves exactly as expected, but all it takes is a small fault, a stray ember or a damaged cable to turn that hum into something altogether more worrying.

Fire safety is rarely the glamorous side of making, yet it is one of the most important. Over the years I have seen how quickly a small flare can take hold and how easily it can damage tools, materials and the room around them. The risks are low, but they are real, and a little preparation can make an extraordinary difference.

The usual advice stands. Keep machines clean, check wiring regularly, make sure ventilation is clear and never leave cutting material that contains adhesives or unknown coatings unattended. Smoke and heat detectors are essential, as is good airflow and sensible layout. These form the invisible foundation of a safe workshop. They work quietly in the background and never ask for attention.

Then there is the final line of defence. The moment when you see something beginning to smoke or flame and you know you have only seconds to stop it becoming anything serious. Traditionally this has meant reaching for a dry powder extinguisher or a CO2 cylinder. Both will deal with a fire effectively, but both have their drawbacks in a small workshop. Powder settles everywhere and can ruin equipment long after the flames are out. CO2 works well but tends to be large, heavy and not always convenient if you need something you can grab in an instant.

This is where the Fire Safety Stick becomes so valuable. I keep one mounted on the wall near my machines for one simple reason. It allows me to deal with a developing fire without coating the entire workspace in a layer of residue that could permanently damage the very equipment I am trying to save. It produces no settling dust and no lingering film. Once the flame is out there is no clean up and no lasting harm to delicate components, optics or electronics.

The Fire Safety Stick answers many of the concerns that makers often raise. It is compact, straightforward to operate and requires no servicing. It can be used on the types of fires likely to occur around 3D printers and laser cutters, and because the discharge is clean, it allows you to act quickly without wondering how much collateral damage you are about to create. In a space filled with tools, materials and sensitive hardware, that freedom matters.

This does not replace sensible precautions. It simply adds a layer of protection that fits naturally into the rhythm of a workshop. You can strike it, place it near the source of the problem and step back, letting it continue to suppress the fire while you stay safe. It buys time, and in an environment where heat and electronics are always working together, time is the most valuable thing you have.

I encourage anyone who spends hours printing, engraving or cutting to think seriously about fire safety. It is easy to assume that nothing will ever go wrong, but experience has taught me that peace of mind is something you only appreciate after the moment you wish you had it. A clear workspace, a basic understanding of your equipment and a Fire Safety Stick within reach is a simple combination that gives you that reassurance.

In a world filled with clever tools and creative possibilities, sometimes the most important equipment is the one you hope you never need to use.

Fire Safety Stick is available in 50 second and 100 second discharge rates and are available from Amazon  at https://amzn.to/48fRCob