An electrical fire is simply a failure or malfunction of an electrical component or wiring that can lead to an electrical fire.
Although it can simply be a faulty wiring cable, electrical fires are more frequent than you may think.
We can never be 100% safe, so what are the best quick ways to put out an electrical fire?
How to put out an electrical fire?
- Use an extinguisher.
Electrical fires are classified in the class c group of fire, so using a Class C extinguisher which is mainly to put out electrical equipment, appliance, and wiring cables will help to put out the fire once it started.
But please note that any ABC fire extinguisher can do the work.
- Turn off the electricity or unplug where it’s possible.
The 1st thing to do when you notice an electrical fire in any type of house (residential, commercial, or industrial) is to unplug or power off the electricity where it’s possible.
By unplugging or disconnecting from the source of the electricity you are not only stopping the source of the fire but also reducing the risk of electrocution.
- Use a fire blanket to stop small fires.
Fire blankets are accessible and cheap, they are suitable for fires that cannot be extinguished with water such as electrical fires.
- Use baking soda.
Is there something that baking soda cannot fix?
Banking soda contains an element also find on extinguishers called sodium bicarbonate. Which can help to put out or stop a small fire.
For example, when an appliance such as a sandwich toaster catches on fire, you can turn it off/ put it off by simply smothering the flames with banking soda.
- Call emergency support.
If you are unable to access or control the fire, don’t hesitate to contact the emergency support of your region.
It’s advisable to even when the fire is under control to contact either an electrician or emergency support to identify what was the cause and to prevent it to happen again.