According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical fires, which involve some type of electrical failure or malfunction, are the second most common type of home fire. While the causes of electrical fires vary, these types of fires are particularly common during the cold weather winter months. They are also a deadly type of fire, accounting for the highest number of deaths and the most significant amount of property damage compared to other types of fires.
One thing that’s especially important to note about electrical fires is how to extinguish one properly. While water is an adequate means of dousing most types of fires, it’s something that you never want to use to combat an electrical fire. This is because water is a conductor of electricity, which could lead to the more rapid spread of the fire or even electrocution. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how to properly extinguish an electrical fire.
The Correct Means of Putting Out an Electrical Fire
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is an ideal way to douse an electrical fire, and OSHA suggests having a working fire extinguisher on every floor of the home in the event of an emergency. It’s essential, however, that any extinguisher used to put out electrical fires is rated appropriately. For instance, an extinguisher with “C” in its label means it can handle Class C blazes, which consists of electrical fires.
Baking Soda
Most people associate baking soda with cleaning, but it’s also an ingredient for putting out fires. Make sure you know where it is within your kitchen, as finding it and pouring it on an electrical fire quickly can help douse the flames. In fact, many fire extinguishers contain certain ingredients found in baking soda.
A Blanket
If the fire is small, you may be able to smother it with a blanket as a means of eliminating the oxygen needed to fuel the blaze. Keep in mind that you want to smother a fire with the blanket – not just throw it toward it. Hence, if the fire is too big, a blanket isn’t likely to do the trick.
Preventing Electrical Fires
Ask any master electrician, and they’ll tell you that there’s plenty you can do to help prevent any sort of fire, let alone electrical fires. However, the most important thing is arguably ensuring that you have working smoke detectors in the home. Other measures you can take include:
- Regular inspection of your home’s electrical wiring and outlets. A certified electrician can diagnose problems and make any necessary updates.
- Unplugging any appliances that generate heat (i.e., portable heaters) when they’re not in use.
- Refraining from plugging in any type of appliance if the power cord is frayed or damaged.
- Tampering with electrical cords (i.e., cutting off the third prong on a three-prong cord).
Contact DK Electrical Solutions in Case of an Electrical Fire
For more information on how to prevent and properly extinguish electrical fires, contact DK Electrical Solutions today. As a professional, qualified electrician in New Jersey, we’ll diagnose issues and perform any type of electrical repair services in your area. Contact us today for more information.
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