Also, water may enable to fire to spread by conducting electricity throughout the room and potentially igniting flammable materials. "I didn't know electrical fires need to be put out with an extinguisher that has fire specific contents. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If the fire you are dealing with is small, use a fire extinguisher to put it out. References 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 … Co2 is used in fire extinguishers, it actually removes two of the elements fire needs to make fire. Do not try to be a hero. When a man sees unwanted and accidental fire, his priority is to put it out. So what do you do? Don’t put out fires with water In spite of the fact that it might be your first thought, never use water on any electrical fire if your electricity is still on. Which is best to put out an electrical fire––oxygen or carbon dioxide? Turn off power to the electrical system. 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. Common sources of ignition include arcing caused by power surges and frayed wire insulation that allows contact between flammable materials and hot electrical conductors. Many electrical fires start at overloaded appliances. FireRescue1 is revolutionizing the way the fire service community 5. Whatever you can do safely to remove the electricity from the situation, do it. P - PULL the silver safety pin on the handle of the extinguisher. Hopfully you never have to encounter an electrical fire. If additional circuits are necessary, consult with an electrician. It is better to stay safe and fight the fire with the power on than to risk getting burned or electrocuted trying to turn the power off. Use Baking Soda for Small Electrical Fires. 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. Power On or Off? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,224 times. You can smother a small fire with baking soda if you have that nearby. Close the door as you leave to contain the fire. Copyright © 2020 Select the option or tab named “Internet Options (Internet Explorer)”, “Options (Firefox)”, “Preferences (Safari)” or “Settings (Chrome)”. Inspect electrical devices periodically to determine if there is wear or fraying of the wires. Most home fire extinguishers are class ABC and are effective at putting out electrical fires. They contain the chemical compound called sodium bicarbonate, which is also be found in Class C fire extinguishers. Check out these top products and tips that will help you during a fire emergency. Never use water on electrical fires unless you're certain the power is off. In addition to these tips, it is also imperative to practice good fire safety habits. You and any family members need to leave as soon as you can to prevent injury or loss of life. Use a class C or ABC fire extinguisher on larger fires by pulling the safety pin on the handle, aiming, and squeezing the handle while sweeping the nozzle from left to right. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Cut off the electricity. All rights reserved. The first thing to remember is that you need to stay calm. I unplugged it and threw it in the tub, watered it until the fire went out. Contact an electrician if you smell anything burning or see smoke coming from an appliance, cord or the plug, or if you see an outlet that is discolored. Cut off power in the affected area. If you see an electrical fire, you should call emergency services right away. To put out an electrical fire, you Remove the oxygen source. Consider calling emergency services before putting out the fire, just in case it gets out of hand. My fiance said that was not a good idea, but had no idea how to put out an electrical fire. how to do it and what is taken or removed from the fire heat, oxygen or fuel Daring thieves take consoles from moving delivery trucks Do NOT pour water over an electrical fire. The best flame retardant during an electrical fire is baking soda. Develop an evacuation plan for the home, with family members practicing it periodically to ensure preparedness in the event of an emergency. It may also be put out by removing the oxygen source with clothing or a heavy blanket if the fire is small and it is safe to do so. Call emergency services. Pay attention if you notice any warning signs of electrical failure. Fire blankets stifle the oxygen a fire needs to burn, putting it out entirely if it’s small enough. Add sodium bicarbonate. If the fire is small, you may put it out by smothering it with baking soda. Call 911 as soon as you are a safe distance from the fire.Â, Do not re-enter your home until the fire has been contained by firefighters.Â, Invite an electrician to inspect the home to ensure it meets the safety provisions in the NEC. My hair dryer caught on fire in my hand yesterday. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Tell the person you talk to that you are dealing with an electrical fire, so that the firefighters know what they are getting into. 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. The water can pick up the fuel and move it to another area where it can then ignite and spread the fire. 4) Put out the fire with steady sweeps from side to side looking out for flames pushed away from your target. If you think you can fight the fire safely, begin by disconnecting the electricity, if possible, and smothering the flames. If the fire is large, evacuate immediately, shut off the power if possible, and call your local emergency services. Don’t use water to put it out. Never use water to put out an electrical fire. If an electrical fire starts 1. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This means that you can easily shock yourself if you use water to try and put out an electrical fire. By using our site, you agree to our. Other types of extinguishers could create an electrocution hazard if used on an electrical fire because they contain liquids or chemicals that conduct electricity. If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it.Â. If you are able to do just that, you can move onto the next step, which is removing the oxygen source. 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. In fact, one-third of all home structure fires stem from an electrical source, and because they tend to be difficult to identify, they are usually much more dangerous and destructive than other types of fires. Side Note: Water can be very dangerous. 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. Don't try to fight a large fire yourself. Again, it’s vital to avoid water in these situations. 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). 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. Keeping a readily available baking soda could save you. In general, firefighters will be better equipped to fight a fire that has live electricity in the mix than you will be. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Baking soda is your friend. 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If the fuel for the fire you are fighting is kerosene, oil, or another liquid fuel, be careful putting water on it. If an electrical system begins sparking or a fire ignites at a wire, appliance, or outlet, then cutting the power to the system is the first, best step to take. To put out an electrical fire, unplug the appliance or shut off the power to disconnect the electricity. 4. Escape routes typically include doors and windows that you can easily pass through to the outside. Electrical fires can pose a huge danger, but proper precautions and safe, appropriate reactions to combat the fire can help to minimize the risk of injury or death. 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. Never use extension cords with heating units or air conditions. A window that is many stories above the ground would not be a great escape route, while a first-floor window would. Unplugging an appliance that is on fire will reduce the risk of the fire spreading beyond the appliance. You can also use water to douse the fire, as it can remove the fire's heat supply. % of people told us that this article helped them. She can be reached via email. and suppliers. Cut off the electricity. 3. This includes installing smoke detectors in every room of the house and testing them monthly to ensure their batteries are working. Next, read about how to put out a grease fire.Â, This article, originally published on Dec. 12, 2017, has been updated. With live electricity involved, flammable items you use could easily start burning. Enter “https://www.firerescue1.com/” and click OK. GET OUT. interacts online and researches product purchases Small electrical fires can be put out by depriving them of their oxygen source. Add sodium bicarbonate. If it’s a small appliance on fire, unplug it from the outlet. Unplug or power off any device causing the fire, if it is safe to do so. Last Updated: April 11, 2020 Lexipol. If you want to learn how to use a fire blanket to smother the fire, keep reading the article! If a fire is developing and you cannot get the electricity turned off or it is growing rapidly, call the fire department. This article has been viewed 87,224 times. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In the case of a fire occurring in an electrical panel, do not try putting it out with water. Baking soda contains the chemical compound sodium bicarbonate, which is also in Class C fire extinguishers. S - SWEEP from left to right, making sure to get every part of the fire. That's right: baking soda, just like the kind you use in the kitchen. Once 1 of the 2 is blocked, it is time to evacuate. The easiest and safest way to handle any fire is by using a class C or ABC fire extinguisher. Do not leave them on overnight or place them next to combustible materials. Do not overload the outlets. As soon as you identify where the electrical fire is happening, look for a way to shut off the electrical power in that section. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This includes flickering lights, buzzing sounds from the electrical system, and circuit breakers that often trip or fuses that frequently blow. Engel lives in Wichita, Kansas. Close doors behind you as you leave. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for fire service professionals worldwide. Water on an electrified fire can create an electrocution hazard, in addition to the fire hazard. Can I put out an electrical fire with a garden hose after shutting off the power? FEMA defines an electrical fire as one caused by heat from electrical transformers, meter boxes, outlets, cords, light bulbs and anything else that conducts electricity. After unplugging the power source, put baking soda over the flames. wikiHow's. DO NOT use water to put an electrical fire out! Do not use flammable items to smother an electrical fire, such as a blanket. Read on to learn more! If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it. Water is a natural conductor of electricity and if you throw water on an electrical fire, you can get shocked or electrocuted. How to put out an electrical panel fire There are several classes of fires, and electrical fires fall under the Class C category. Electrical fires are a Class C fire, which means that you will need an extinguisher that is appropriate for this type of fire. Electrical Fires – How to Extinguish Them If you’ve established that it is safe for you to proceed, then the first step to putting out an electrical fire is making an attempt to turn off the electrical supply to the object which is on fire. Approved. 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. But not just any fire extinguisher: it must be rated B or K for grease fires and C for electrical … Water should not be used to exterminate these fires. The Fire Equipment Manufacturer's Association recommended using a water or foam fire extinguisher on Class A fires. Knowing how to respond quickly could be the difference between a small fire and a devastating disaster. 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. Many fire extinguishers made for home use are ABC extinguishers. Plus, an electrical fire in the home is often a more immediate danger than a wildfire and may lead to panic. Don’t use anything like blankets, or similar, to smother the flames, as they’re much more likely to ignite themselves. If there’s an active electrical current, you can receive a fatal shock . 2. Power Tip: Ideally, you want to use a Class C fire extinguisher specially formulated for putting out electrical fires. If it happens to be a small fire attempt to put it out by smothering it with baking soda. Small electrical fires can be put out with baking soda. Because it is so frequently used, most people tend to underestimate the risk potential and dangers that come with electrical fires.Â. If an electrical fire does break out, then it’s best to put it out with a carbon dioxide or dry powder fire extinguisher. Class B fires involve flammable liquids like oil, alcohol, or gasoline. Water will conduct electricity, making the situation more Sixty-five percent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke detectors. 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. {"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":"