Can you smother an electrical fire

And paying for quality work means paying for safety. Consider this story of a family who lost their home to a fire because of incorrect wiring. As with all fires, don't try to be a hero. That's what firefighters are for. If a blaze gets too big, don't try to fight it; just escape safely and call If you decide that you can tackle a small fire in its early stages, remember these tips :. Never use water to extinguish live electrical fires.

Water readily conducts electricity, and pouring it on an electrical fire can create dangerous sparks and electric shocks. For an example writ large, check out this video of some poorly-trained firefighters spraying water on burning utility equipment. No firefighters are hurt in this video, but someone was likely held accountable:.

Instead of water, use a Class C fire extinguisher. Different fire extinguishers are suitable for different types of fires. Class A extinguishers handle ordinary fires like burning wood or cardboard. Class B extinguishers put out fires involving flammable liquids like gasoline and paint though not grease and cooking oils found in the kitchen; those are Class K.

Class C extinguishers are for electrical fires. ABC extinguishers , which work for all three, should be in every home. Know which kind of fire extinguisher you have and how it works so that you can use it confidently and safely, should the need arise.

Electrical arcs, sparks, and heat from malfunctioning equipment or overloaded circuits can ignite surrounding material. Fortunately, you can keep yourself and your family safe from electrical fires with some simple steps.

Don't overload your circuits, use power strips and extension cords safely, protect cords from damage, and always hire licensed electricians for electrical work.

If an electrical fire happens—and it is small—you may be able to fight it. First, disconnect the electricity if you can do so safely. Importantly, never use water to put out fires involving charged electrical equipment. All homes should also have smoke detectors or smoke and heat sensors, which buy you precious seconds to escape in the event of a fire.

The National Fire Protection Association NFPA recommends installing smoke detectors in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor of your home. Unlike traditional smoke detectors, smart sensors alert you with noise and send external notifications. If they cannot reach you after two attempts, they summon emergency services to your address.

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Support Customer Login. Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube. Environmental Sensors. Search The Blog. By: Jesse Siegel. No comments. To prevent home electrical fires, prevent your electronics from generating sparks or too much heat.

You should:. Never try to be a hero. If you are unsuccessful in putting the electrical fire out using steps , the best thing you can do is leave the property and call the emergency services. Use the tips in this step to make an electrical fire less likely in your home. In the heat of the moment, you may think it best to act fast and pour water over an electrical fire. DO NOT follow this instinct. Water conducts electricity, and you are at serious risk of electrocution should you douse an electrical fire.

Pools of water will remain live even if you manage to put it out — posing a risk to emergency services. No matter the size of the flames, always follow the above methods first. The conductive properties in H2O can even spread the flames further, carrying the dangerously exposed current around the room.

The only instance in which it is appropriate to put water on an electrical fire is if you can turn off the power source. Removing the potential for conductivity keeps you safe from electrocution. Use a fire blanket, baking soda, or a class C extinguisher. Most importantly, contact emergency services and ask for their advice. During an emergency, it can be hard to think straight. Unplug appliances that are on fire.

If you have an electrical fire that has started in an appliance that plugs in, such as a toaster, you should immediately unplug it. Make sure that you can get to the wall socket or extension cord safely and then disconnect it from the outlet.

Many electrical fires start at overloaded appliances. For instance, if there is a short in your toaster, it can produce enough heat to start a fire. Another example is when too many Christmas lights are plugged into each other, it can create enough heat to start a fire. Turn off the electricity. If you have an electrical fire that is in a wall or in an appliance that you can't get to to unplug, focus on getting the power turned off.

If you can safely get to the electrical switch or the electrical panel, go there and kill the power. Disconnecting the power will eliminate the risk of electrocution, will eliminate the heat source that started the fire, and will allow you to fight the fire with a wider array of fire-fighting techniques.

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. Be certain that the electrical disconnect is out of reach.

Once a fire has started, electricity can continue to create heat that will encourage the fire to continue. Electricity will also make the fire harder to fight, because you have to be careful not to get shocked, in addition to avoiding getting burned. With this in mind, make sure there is no safe way to get to the electrical disconnect before giving up and fighting the fire while it is still electrified.

If you have an appliance fire where the appliance can't be unplugged, go turn off the power at the breaker box. Whatever you can do safely to remove the electricity from the situation, do it. Method 3. Never use water on an electrical fire. If you cannot turn off the electricity and the area that is on fire is still energized, the last thing you want to do it pour water on it. Water will conduct the electricity that caused the fire, creating an electrocution hazard in addition to the fire hazard.

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. Smother a small fire with baking soda. If you can't disconnect an appliance or cord that is smoldering, cover the whole area in baking soda.

This will block the oxygen that the fire needs to keep burning while not creating an electrocution hazard like water would. With live electricity involved, flammable items you use could easily start burning. Use only a class C or ABC fire extinguisher. The type of fire extinguisher you can use on a live electrical fire is very specific. An electrical fire is known as a Class C fire, and so requires a Class C fire extinguisher. Many fire extinguishers made for home use are ABC extinguishers.

Other types of extinguishers could create an electrocution hazard if used on an electrical fire because they contain liquids or chemicals that conduct electricity. Use the fire extinguisher properly. In the moment of an emergency, it can be hard to remember how to operate a fire extinguisher.

A - AIM the hose and nozzle of the extinguisher at the fire. Disconnect the electricity when possible. Once the fire is under control enough to safely get to the electrical panel or the outlet, disconnect the power.

This will help ensure that the fire is not reignited by electricity and that the risk of electrocution is eliminated. Method 4. Use a fire extinguisher if you have one available. If you have turned off the electricity and there is a fire extinguisher nearby, spray it on the fire.

It doesn't matter what kind of extinguisher you use on a fire that has no live electricity around it. Use a fire blanket or other thick blanket to smother the fire. If you don't have an extinguisher but you do have a fire blanket, use it to smother the fire. By covering a small fire you are eliminating much of the oxygen the fire needs to keep going.

With quick action, a fire blanket or other thick blanket can be used to put a small fire out completely. Douse the fire with water. You need to be absolutely sure that the electricity is turned off before putting water on a fire.