Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by David Decker and by How.com.vn staff writer, Eric McClure. David Decker is a Firefighting Expert based in Newark, Ohio. Assistant Chief Decker was a career firefighter for 32+ years at Newark Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for 14 years. As Assistant Chief, he was in charge of department operations and training. He is now the owner of Command Vision, a fire training company focusing on incident command. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads dash-cam videos captured at fire scenes that serve as training material for fire officers who want to expand their knowledge. The channel features over 40 structure fire videos and has garnered 55k followers and more than 15 million views.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 160,063 times.
Electrical fires can happen at any time and can be caused by a wide range of problems, including faulty wiring or overloaded appliances. If you see an electrical fire, call emergency services right away. If you think you can fight the fire safely, begin by disconnecting the electricity, if possible. If you have a C-rated fire extinguisher, spray the flames. If you don’t, smother the flames by throwing a thick fire blanket over the fire. We spoke to career firefighter and firefighting expert David Decker to get the info you need to keep your home and family safe from electrical fires.
The Best Ways to Put Out an Electrical Fire
- Shut the power off and use a fire extinguisher to subdue the fire.
- If you cannot shut the power off, only use a C-rated fire extinguisher.
- Smother a small fire in a fire blanket or with baking soda if you don’t have an extinguisher.
- Call emergency services if you have any trouble fighting the fire.
- Never use water on an electrical fire if the power is on.
Steps
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow do I safely enter a house or room that's on fire?
David DeckerDavid Decker is a Firefighting Expert based in Newark, Ohio. Assistant Chief Decker was a career firefighter for 32+ years at Newark Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for 14 years. As Assistant Chief, he was in charge of department operations and training. He is now the owner of Command Vision, a fire training company focusing on incident command. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads dash-cam videos captured at fire scenes that serve as training material for fire officers who want to expand their knowledge. The channel features over 40 structure fire videos and has garnered 55k followers and more than 15 million views.
Firefighting ExpertEntering a house fire poses significant risks beyond direct burns. While you may avoid immediate injury from flames, falling debris and thick smoke can quickly incapacitate you. Falling debris, such as collapsing ceilings or walls, can cause serious harm or trap you inside the burning structure. Moreover, smoke inhalation can lead to disorientation, loss of consciousness, and even death due to toxic gases like carbon monoxide. Therefore, entering a house fire without proper training and equipment can be extremely perilous, emphasizing the critical importance of fire safety and professional firefighting protocols. If you encounter fire and smoke in your home, immediately contact your local fire station, or the police, or dial 911. - QuestionHow do I prevent electrical fires?David DeckerDavid Decker is a Firefighting Expert based in Newark, Ohio. Assistant Chief Decker was a career firefighter for 32+ years at Newark Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for 14 years. As Assistant Chief, he was in charge of department operations and training. He is now the owner of Command Vision, a fire training company focusing on incident command. He also has a YouTube channel where he uploads dash-cam videos captured at fire scenes that serve as training material for fire officers who want to expand their knowledge. The channel features over 40 structure fire videos and has garnered 55k followers and more than 15 million views.
Firefighting ExpertTo avoid house electrical fires, refrain from daisy-chaining outlets and plugs, which can overload circuits. Ensure that appliances and devices are not drawing too much amperage for the circuit's capacity. Adhering to these practices can mitigate the risk of electrical fires in your home. - QuestionCan I put out an electrical fire with a garden hose after shutting off the power?
Upnorth HereTop AnswererYes, 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).
Tips
Warnings
- If the fire is large, evacuate immediately, shut off the power if possible, and call your local emergency services. Don't try to fight a large fire yourself.Thanks
- Do not pour water on an electrical fire unless the item on fire is unplugged or the energy to your home is off. Water is conductive for electricity, and if the power is on you could end up shocking yourself.[11]Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about disaster preparedness, check out our in-depth interview with David Decker.
References
- ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2022/08/26/fire-extinguisher-ratings
- ↑ https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
- ↑ https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/emergency-exit-routes-factsheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures
- ↑ https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2022/08/26/fire-extinguisher-ratings
- ↑ https://www.cityfire.co.uk/news/pass-fire-extinguisher/
- ↑ https://rainbowrestores.com/blog/electrical-fire-smell
- ↑ https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/firefightingtools/articles/5-common-causes-of-electrical-fires-olFt6TUMOsWg7re2/
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21018361/how-long-things-last
About This Article
To put out an electrical fire, unplug the appliance or shut off the power to disconnect the electricity. Consider calling emergency services before putting out the fire, just in case it gets out of hand. You can smother a small fire with baking soda if you have that nearby. 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. Never use water on electrical fires unless you're certain the power is off. If you want to learn how to use a fire blanket to smother the fire, keep reading the article!
Reader Success Stories
"I didn't know electrical fires need to be put out with an extinguisher that has fire specific contents. I was made aware by reading this article."..." more
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
