There are many reasons a fire may start in the home. It can be from someone smoking in the bedroom or accidents in the kitchen. However, one of the most common causes of home fires is electricity. Faults in the electrical system, whether they are from short circuits or frayed cords, can lead to heat and sparks that can start a fire.
Unfortunately, dealing with electrical fires is not easy, not to mention dangerous. If you do not know how to address an electrical fire, you can put yourself in danger of both burns and electrocution.
With that in mind, here is exactly what you need to do to address an electrical fire quickly:
1) Cut Off the Power and Dial 911
If you see a fire, the first thing you should always do is call 911. This way, should things get worse, firefighters can get to the scene quickly. Even if you think the fire is out, there is always a possibility of a reignition. The presence of professionals in the area is a must.
After that, cut off the power. You can either unplug whatever caused the fire or look for the breaker box to quickly switch off power to the home. This ensures that the cause of the fire is dealt with. Also, if someone decides to handle the fire, their risk of electrical shock is reduced.
2) Use a Fire Extinguisher or Smother the Fire
If you have a fire extinguisher, use it. If you cannot cut off the power, you will need to use a dry fire extinguisher known as Class C fire extinguishers. These generally use carbon dioxide or other dry chemicals. If the power is cut, you can then use Class A extinguishers that are water-based. Remember that you should never interchange these extinguishers. Each is designed with specific purposes and limitations that you must follow.
3) Exit the Building as Soon as Possible
If you see that the fire is getting uncontrollable, exit the home immediately. If there is smoke, be sure to keep your head down to ensure you can see where you are going and that you are not inhaling carbon monoxide. If you have to, crawl on the ground, and if your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll immediately.
If you have not dialed 911 yet, do so. They will arrive as fast as possible to address the fire to save you and as much of your home as they can.
Conclusion
Follow the procedures above, and you will maximize safety in the event of an electrical fire. That being said, you should be proactive in fire prevention. This includes keeping flammable materials away from electrical outlets, replacing out-of-date electrical fixtures with new ones, and regularly calling an electrician to run tests to make sure everything works as expected.
Safety features such as surge protectors and the like can also reduce the likelihood of electrical fires by large margins. Your smoke detectors should also always be active.
24/7 Emergency Electricians offers expert installations and maintenance to ensure your electrical needs are thoroughly satisfied. If you are looking for an emergency electrician in Edmonton, reach out to us today!
