How Do You Put Out an Electrical Fire?
Taking precautions such as system upgrades is a smart way to lower your risk of electrical fires. However, it's important to know best practices should you ever be faced with one. Preparing for how to put out an electrical fire, even if you don’t have a fire extinguisher, could be the difference between a minor accident and a major catastrophe.
Put Your Safety First
If an electrical fire is growing quickly and you’re not able to turn the electricity off, you need to put your safety first. To ensure that you’ll have backup if you’re not able to put out the fire yourself, call 911 right away and be sure to tell the dispatcher that it’s an electrical fire. Then before attempting to put out the fire yourself, make sure you can see two clear pathways to safety. Once one of those two pathways becomes blocked or unsafe to approach, evacuate immediately. It is not worth risking your life.
Disconnect the Electricity
First, disconnect the electricity to the source of the fire. If an appliance is the source, unplug it immediately. Unplugging it will reduce the risk that the flames will spread, and you can focus your efforts on that one source of fire. If you can’t unplug the source, you’ll need to disconnect the electricity in your home. If you can safely get to your electrical panel, go there immediately and turn the power off. Once you’ve killed the electricity, you are no longer at risk of electrocution and the source of the fire is now cut off.
Use Baking Soda for Small Electrical Fires
If the fire began in an appliance or an overloaded cord, once you’ve unplugged the power source, toss baking soda over the flames. Baking soda contains the chemical compound sodium bicarbonate, which is also in Class C fire extinguishers. Keeping an open box of baking soda easily accesible could become a lifesaver if a small appliance like a toaster or crockpot bursts into flames.
Never Use Water While the Power Is On
Although it may be your first impulse, never use water on any size electrical fire if your power is still on. Water conducts electricity, so if you toss water onto the flames, you are at risk of being badly shocked.
How to Put Out an Electrical Fire Once the Power Is Off
Once you’ve disconnected the electricity in your house, you have more options to fight the flames. A fire blanket is a great option if you don’t have a fire extinguisher. Fire blankets stifle the oxygen a fire needs to burn, putting it out entirely if it’s small enough. If you don’t have a fire blanket handy and you’re confident the power is off, water is now an option. Using a large bucket or even the spray nozzle from your sink, douse the fire with as much water as possible until it is completely out.
Prevent Electrical Fires Before They Start
To prevent electrical fires from starting, consider an electrical safety inspection if you have any concerns about your electrical system. The experts at Mr. Electric can help you decide which upgrades may be right for your electrical system to keep your family safe. Remember to always call your local Mr. Electric at the first sign of any issues.
