They can also identify if the home would benefit from AFCI protection. You can also use water to douse the fire, as it can remove the fire's heat supply. Engel lives in Wichita, Kansas. Consider calling emergency services before putting out the fire, just in case it gets out of hand. All rights reserved. How to put out a grease fire Common causes of electrical fires When working with members of your community on fire and life safety, it is important to teach the common causes of electrical … Check out these top products and tips that will help you during a fire emergency. Another example is when too many Christmas lights are plugged into each other, it can create enough heat to start a fire. Copyright © 2020 With live electricity involved, flammable items you use could easily start burning. Can I put out an electrical fire with a garden hose after shutting off the power? In a situation where electricity is the source of a fire, it is best to contact a professional to fix the problem. Once you see a small fire start, throw baking soda on the flames. These devices recognize potential electrical hazards that are not detected by standard breakers and can be especially helpful in older homes. But if you ever do make sure you know how to put it out. In an effort to keep your community safe, please keep these tips for combatting an electrical fire handy in the event of an emergency, and share them with friends and family. Cut off the electricity. Check your fire extinguisher. % of people told us that this article helped them. To put out an electrical fire, first call 9-1-1, turn off the entire circuit breaker for the whole house, and use a class C fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Which is best to put out an electrical fire––oxygen or carbon dioxide? If an electrical fire starts 1. Close doors behind you as you leave. If you cannot get to a location to shut off the power safely, don't attempt it. Dousing an electrical fire with water may cause you to be electrocuted and may even cause the fire to spread by allowing the electricity to be conducted to more of your kitchen’s flammable surfaces. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Last Updated: April 11, 2020 The breaker box is another option to turn off the power. Cut off power in the affected area. Because it is so frequently used, most people tend to underestimate the risk potential and dangers that come with electrical fires.Â. Don’t use water to put it out. Tell the person you talk to that you are dealing with an electrical fire, so that the firefighters know what they are getting into. Do not use flammable items to smother an electrical fire, such as a blanket. They should only be used temporarily. This means that you can easily shock yourself if you use water to try and put out an electrical fire. References If the fire is large, evacuate immediately, shut off the power if possible, and call your local emergency services. Then, follow these steps to put out an electrical fire at home. Also, water may enable to fire to spread by conducting electricity throughout the room and potentially igniting flammable materials. If a fire is developing and you cannot get the electricity turned off or it is growing rapidly, call the fire department. A fire blanket is a great option if you don’t have a fire extinguisher. They are very dangerous.Â, While it is important to remember these steps in order to take appropriate action during an electrical fire, it’s equally, if not more, important to take action to prevent them from occurring in the first place.Â. Add sodium bicarbonate. If the fire is small, you may put it out by smothering it with baking soda. A - AIM the hose and nozzle of the extinguisher at the fire. What else could you use besides a fire extinguisher or blanket? If you think you can fight the fire safely, begin by disconnecting the electricity, if possible, and smothering the flames. Yes, once you remove the electrical power, the remaining fire can be extinguished according to the type of fuel that is burning (e.g., wood, molten plastic). I unplugged it and threw it in the tub, watered it until the fire went out. Hopfully you never have to encounter an electrical fire. This should cut off the oxygen supply and extinguish the fire. wikiHow's. If you want to learn how to use a fire blanket to smother the fire, keep reading the article! In this case, which happens mostly with heaters and other appliances that create heat, the heat generated by the unit is too much for the wires to handle. After unplugging the power source, put baking soda over the flames. But not just any fire extinguisher: it must be rated B or K for grease fires and C for electrical … By using our site, you agree to our. Common sources of ignition include arcing caused by power surges and frayed wire insulation that allows contact between flammable materials and hot electrical conductors. Sixty-five percent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke detectors. Fire blankets stifle the oxygen a fire needs to burn, putting it out entirely if it’s small enough. S - SQUEEZE the handle of the fire extinguisher slowly. This will help keep the fire as contained as possible. Don’t use anything like blankets, or similar, to smother the flames, as they’re much more likely to ignite themselves. Electrical fires are a Class C fire, which means that you will need an extinguisher that is appropriate for this type of fire. "I didn't know electrical fires need to be put out with an extinguisher that has fire specific contents. You know how to use a Class C fire extinguisher to fight a fire blanket to the... Want to use a fire emergency article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status most! 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