How to Safely Put Out an Electrical Fire

Electricity is an essential part of modern life, but it’s important to recognize the risks it can pose to our homes and loved ones. Electrical hazards have the potential to not only damage property but also cause serious harm to people. According to the NFPA, from 2015 to 2019, lighting equipment—including wiring, cords, and plugs—was responsible for an average of 32,620 home structure fires each year. These incidents led to 430 civilian deaths, 1,070 civilian injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage annually.

Given these alarming statistics, electrical fires are a serious threat that should never be overlooked. Taking proactive steps to prevent them can save lives and protect your home.

In this article, we’ll explore how to safely extinguish electrical fires, what to do if you’re unable to contain one, and practical tips for preventing electrical fires in the first place. By staying informed, you can reduce the risk of injury and keep your home safe.

How can I put out an electrical fire?

Every homeowner should know how to extinguish an electrical fire, it could save both your home and your life. If you encounter an electrical fire in your home, following the right steps is crucial to prevent injury to you and your family and to prevent permanent fire damage. Here’s what you need to do:

• Shut off electricity: If there is a specific device that is causing the electrical fire, make sure to unplug it.
• Use baking soda: If you have a small fire, you can try to put it out with baking soda. This should only be done with a small fire.
• Remove the oxygen source: You can put out a small fire by putting clothing or a heavy blanket over the fire to cut off the oxygen.
• Never use water on an electrical fire: You should never use water on an electrical fire because you could get shocked or electrocuted. It can also enable the fire to spread, which results in further damage.
• Check your fire extinguisher: Electrical fires are considered Class C fires and require a Class C fire extinguisher. Most residential fire extinguishers are multi-purpose ABC extinguishers, however, you should always verify before using them on an electrical fire.

Electrical fires are responsible for over 500 deaths and 1,400 injuries each year. Taking the right precautions is essential to prevent fires, protecting both your property and the safety of you and your loved ones.

What if I am unable to put out the electrical fire?

If you are faced with a situation where you are unable to put out an electrical fire, here are the steps you should take:

• As soon as you notice a fire, you and your family must evacuate to avoid injury or loss of life.
• Close the door as you are leaving so you can contain the fire.
• Make sure to call 911 as soon as you are a safe distance from the fire.
• Never enter your home until the fire has been contained by the fire department.

How to Prevent an Electrical Fire

Remembering the steps outlined above and acting quickly during an electrical fire is vital. However, preventing a fire from occurring in the first place is even more critical. To help safeguard your home, follow these steps to prevent electrical fires:

• Hire a licensed electrician to inspect your home and ensure it complies with NEC safety standards. They can also determine whether installing AFCI protection would be beneficial. AFCI devices are designed to detect hidden electrical hazards that standard breakers often miss, making them especially valuable for older homes.
• Always use light bulbs that match the proper wattage for the fixture or lamp.
• Install child precautions to prevent accidental electrocution.
• You should never use extension cords with heating or air conditioning units.
• Never overload your outlets. If you need additional circuits, make sure to first consult an electrician.
• Watch out for signs of an electrical failure, including flickering lights, buzzing sounds from the electrical system, and circuit breakers that are tripping often.
• Regularly inspect electrical devices to check for wear or fraying of the wires. You should never use devices that show signs of fraying or wear.
• Contact an electrician if you notice a burning smell or see smoke coming from an appliance.
• Portable space heaters should only be used if they have a safety mechanism that will shut them off if they tip over. Never leave them on overnight.

In addition to the safety tips mentioned, practicing proper fire safety habits is essential. Ensure smoke detectors are installed in every room of your home and test them monthly to confirm the batteries are functioning. Create a clear evacuation plan for your household and regularly practice it with your family to stay prepared in case of an emergency. While electrical fires pose a serious risk, taking the right precautions can help you prevent them, protect your home from fire damage, and ensure everyone’s safety in a critical situation.

24/7 Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Near You

Electrical fires are a serious hazard, but with the right knowledge and preparation, they are largely preventable. By following safety best practices, maintaining your electrical systems, and knowing how to respond in an emergency, you can greatly reduce the risk of fire in your home and protect the well-being of your family and property.

If you do experience an electrical fire in your home that has caused significant damage, do not hesitate to call a fire damage restoration professional once the fire is out. Fire damage technicians use the proper equipment and methods to stabilize and repair structural damage, clean up soot, and remove smoke odors. Calling a fire damage restoration professional as soon as possible helps limit the damage and quickly gets your home back to its pre-fire condition.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.