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What To Do In An Electrical Fire - 6 Steps
12/29/2020 (Permalink)
Prevent an electrical fire from spreading to other areas of your Flemington home by following these tips.
Did you know that electrical systems are the third leading cause of house fires? With the amount of electricity we use in our everyday life, it's easy to forget the possibility of an electrical fire in your Flemington property. Here, we will go over how to stop an electrical fire and what to do when one starts in your home.
How To Stop An Electrical Fire
Safety always comes first! You should only take these steps if the fire is small. If it is clear the fire is already spreading, you won't be able to put it out, or it is blocking a safe exit, call 911 and evacuate your home.
1. Turn off the power
When dealing with an electrical fire, the first thing you should do is cut the power. If an electrical appliance is causing the fire, unplug it if it is safe to do so. This helps reduce the risk that the fire will grow and spread.
If you cannot unplug the source or your home's electrical system is on fire (such as wall plugs or wires) you should disconnect the electricity as soon as possible. This can be done at your main electrical panel. Turning off the power can help slow the spread of the fire and keep it contained until you put it out completely or help arrives.
2. Use sodium bicarbonate (Baking soda)
To put out an electrical fire, you can smother it in baking soda if small enough, similar to a grease fire. It's always a good idea to keep baking soda around the house even if you don't bake in case a small fire starts.
3. Smother the fire
You may also be able to put out a small fire by cutting off its source of oxygen, which feeds it. You can use clothing or a heavy blanket. This step may only apply for electrical appliances that are on fire, and not power sources, wires, or plugs.
4. Use a fire extinguisher
If you have the correct type of fire extinguisher, you can use it to stop the electrical fire. Electrical fires require Class C Fire Extinguishers, so before you use yours make sure that the label includes the letter ''C'.
5. Never put water on an electrical fire unless the power has been disconnected
If you don't have the above options to put out a small electrical fire in your home, you can use water ONLY IF you have disconnected the power. Pouring water on a plugged-in electrical fire will conduct electricity and make the problem much worse.
6. If you're unable to put out the fire, call 911
It's possible that you won't be able to put out the small electrical fire in your home. When it is no longer clearly safe for you to be in the home, evacuate and call 911. Close the door to the room the fire is in to help contain it. Do not re-enter your home until you've been told its safe to do so.
7. Learn to prevent electrical fires in the future
Whatever the cause of your electrical fire, be sure to throw away or replace the item. Make sure your home has a thorough inspection by an electrician to be sure there are no electrical fire hazards, especially before using your electrical system again.