Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The breaker box is another option to turn off the power. Then, follow these steps to put out an electrical fire at home. Learn more... Electrical fires can happen at any time and can be caused by a wide range of problems, including faulty wiring or overloaded appliances. Cut off the electricity. You and any family members need to leave as soon as you can to prevent injury or loss of life. I was made, "It's an awesome site that helps you know how to do whatever you want.". Check out these top products and tips that will help you during a fire emergency. 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. In addition to her regular editing duties, Engel seeks to tell the heroic, human stories of first responders and the importance of their work. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The best flame retardant during an electrical fire is baking soda. Don’t use water to put it out. You can also use water to douse the fire, as it can remove the fire's heat supply. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Do not use flammable items to smother an electrical fire, such as a blanket. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and began her career as a freelance writer, focusing on government and military issues. Small electrical fires can be put out with baking soda. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_use.html, https://emilms.fema.gov/is909/assets/09_puttingoutfires.pdf, https://www.firerescue1.com/child-safety-education/articles/371959018-How-to-put-out-an-electrical-fire-in-five-steps/, http://blog.expertsinyourhome.com/electrical-safety-tips-how-to-put-out-an-electrical-fire, apagar los incendios causados por la electricidad, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A fire blanket is a great option if you don’t have a fire extinguisher. Plus, an electrical fire in the home is often a more immediate danger than a wildfire and may lead to panic. I unplugged it and threw it in the tub, watered it until the fire went out. Do not try to be a hero. Keeping a readily available baking soda could save you. "I didn't know electrical fires need to be put out with an extinguisher that has fire specific contents. Use Baking Soda for Small Electrical Fires. Many electrical fires start at overloaded appliances. Most residential fire extinguishers are multi-purpose and labeled ABC, but it is crucial to verify this before using it on an electrical fire.Â, Electrical fires result in almost 500 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries annually. DO NOT use water to put an electrical fire out! FireRescue1 is revolutionizing the way the fire service community If, at any time, the flames seem like they pose an immediate threat or are too unwieldy to handle on your own, take your family and leave the premise before dialing 9-1-1. If you are unsure whether a fire has been caused by live electricity or something else, err on the side of caution and don't use water. If the source is only sparking or the flame has not yet spread at all, this step alone may be enough to extinguish the flame. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Look for a box or option labeled “Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari)” or “On Startup (Chrome)”. In general, firefighters will be better equipped to fight a fire that has live electricity in the mix than you will be. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. To put out a fire, we recommend that you fill a bucket and quickly dump it over the fire to put it out. Do not use devices that show signs of fraying or wear.Â. Youcannot even use water to douse the electrical flames. The easiest and safest way to handle any fire is by using a class C or ABC fire extinguisher. For instance, if there is a short in your toaster, it can produce enough heat to start a fire. Electrical fire is dangerous andthey should be handled in a precise way to put out the flames quickly and safely.www.secgroup.com.au Electrician Sydney 3. Knowing how to put out an electrical fire effectively, including when to call in firefighters to do the job, could save not just your life, but also the life of your friends or family. 2. It contains a chemical called sodium bicarbonate – which believe it or not – is found in many class-C fire extinguishers. Always use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage for the fixture or lamp. Copyright © 2020 All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Hopfully you never have to encounter an electrical fire. Do not overload the outlets. Electrical fires are a Class C fire, which means that you will need an extinguisher that is appropriate for this type of fire. If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browser’s Help menu, Join FirstConnect to see available grants & support, A community guide for preventing and extinguishing electrical fires, Winter typically means spending more time indoors and using more electricity – to heat our homes, power devices that keep us entertained and light up our houses indoors and out during the holidays.Â, But electricity is a hidden danger to the residents in your community. They should only be used temporarily. These fires start most often in bedrooms and attics, and the most common ignitable material that starts the fire is the wire insulation itself, although framing members, wall insulati… Tell the person you talk to that you are dealing with an electrical fire, so that the firefighters know what they are getting into. Water is a natural conductor of electricity. Remove the oxygen source. The Fire Equipment Manufacturer's Association recommended using a water or foam fire extinguisher on Class A fires. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Video: Dashcam captures close call at Pa. crash scene, Photos: 4 Colo. FFs hospitalized after engine tumbles down hillside, Video: 5 FDNY firefighters injured when engine crashes into Brooklyn store, Speeding car goes airborne, crashes into roof of Fla. fire station, Individual Access - Free COVID-19 Courses, one-third of all home structure fires stem, Open the tools menu in your browser. Engel joined Lexipol in 2015 and has since reported on issues related to public safety. They can prevent between. 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). Use Baking Soda for Small Electrical Fires. If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it. Don’t use anything like blankets, or similar, to smother the flames, as they’re much more likely to ignite themselves. The water can pick up the fuel and move it to another area where it can then ignite and spread the fire. A - AIM the hose and nozzle of the extinguisher at the fire. Lexipol. Even if a fire is small, calling the fire department will ensure that if the fire grows, you will have help on the way. Enter “https://www.firerescue1.com/” and click OK. GET OUT. 1. Close the door as you leave to contain the fire. Very small electrical fires can be smothered with baking soda. Lexipol. If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it.Â. Select the option or tab named “Internet Options (Internet Explorer)”, “Options (Firefox)”, “Preferences (Safari)” or “Settings (Chrome)”. Consider calling emergency services before putting out the fire, just in case it gets out of hand. All rights reserved. Also, water may enable to fire to spread by conducting electricity throughout the room and potentially igniting flammable materials. 4. Having 2 escape routes allows you to fight the fire until it is out or until 1 of the escape routes is blocked by fire or debris. Pay attention if you notice any warning signs of electrical failure. Oxygen, on the other hand, is what the fire needs to burn. Read on to learn more! Install child precautions when they are present to prevent accidental electrocution. Trying to put out Rachel Engel is the associate editor of FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. If an electrical fire starts 1. 4) Put out the fire with steady sweeps from side to side looking out for flames pushed away from your target. If you want to learn how to use a fire blanket to smother the fire, keep reading the article! This means that you can easily shock yourself if you use water to try and put out an electrical fire. Power On or Off? {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Put-Out-Electrical-Fires-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-Out-Electrical-Fires-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Put-Out-Electrical-Fires-Step-1.jpg\/aid6158262-v4-728px-Put-Out-Electrical-Fires-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"