It’s best to try and avoid electrical fires by upgrading your system periodically and keeping it in good repair. But, unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee you won’t have an electrical fire. So, it’s important to know the best way to deal with an electrical fire should one occur. This includes knowing what to do if you don’t have access to a fire extinguisher. So, in this article, we’ll give some tips on how to handle an electrical fire.
Stay Safe
If you have an electrical fire and notice that it is spreading quickly and you are unable to turn off the electricity, be sure to consider safety first. In fact, if you have any doubts about being able to get out of the house if you try to put out the fire, then don’t try; just call for help. Now, before you start to deal with the fire, call 911 and tell the dispatcher that you are dealing with an electrical fire. Next, before trying to put the fire out, ensure that you have two ways to safely exit your home. If either of your escape routes becomes blocked or unsafe, leave the premises immediately.
Turn Off the Electricity
Before trying to put out the fire, make sure you turn off the electricity. If an appliance is on fire and it is safe to do so, you could just unplug it. But, the safest way to ensure you will not risk being electrocuted is to turn off the electricity in your home. If it is safe to do so, go to your electrical panel and turn off the power to your home. If it is not safe to access the electrical panel, you need to wait for help to arrive. It is not safe to try to put out an electrical fire with the power on. Should you manage to turn off the power, you will not be risking electrocution, and you will have removed the fire’s source.
For a Small Electrical Fire, Try Baking Soda
If you find a fire has started in an appliance or an electrical cord, you should unplug the appliance or cord, if it is safe, and throw baking soda on the flames. Baking soda actually has a chemical compound in it that is used in some fire extinguishers.
Don’t Use Water Until the Power Is Turned Off
It may be tempting to throw water on a fire as soon as you see it. But, you should never do this with an electrical fire or any fire that could potentially be an electrical fire. Water conducts electricity, which means you could receive a serious electrical shock by throwing water on the flames.
Putting Out a Fire After the Power Is Off
After you turn the power to your house off, you have several options for dealing with the fire. One option you could try if you don’t own a fire extinguisher or it is unavailable would be to use a fire blanket. A fire blanket will keep the fire from receiving the oxygen it needs to keep burning and extinguish it if it’s quite small.
However, if there isn’t a fire blanket nearby, and you have turned off the power to your home, you could try using water to put out the fire. It could take a lot of water, so you might need a large bucket. Or, if you are in the kitchen, you could use the sprayer attachment from the sink. Be sure to continue putting water on the fire until you are sure it is out.
We have discussed how to put out electrical fires in this article. But, it is far better to try to prevent electrical fires, and the best way to do this is to keep your electrical system properly upgraded and in good repair.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about upgrading your electrical system or want to make an appointment to have your electrical system upgraded or repaired, call Clark Electric at 844-431-8050 or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
