Only recently, a man made headlines when he luckily survived a house fire caused by electric blanket that went up in flames engulfing his body while he was still asleep. The man tried to put it out by throwing water on it only to see the fire rage even more.

So what’s the best way to put out an electrical fire? As licensed electricians in Geelong with decades of experience advising our clients on the best upgrades and tips to keep their home, children, pets and themselves safe from electrical fires, we are putting up a list of some of the best practices you should know if you are ever faced with one.

Always keep a fire extinguisher at home

Accidents don’t come with a warning so better be safe than sorry. Make sure you have a fully functional CO2 fire extinguisher at home and all family members know where to get it and how to use it in case the need arises.

Disconnect electricity

The best way to stop the fire from spreading is to disconnect the electricity from the source. If an appliance has caught fire, pull out its plug. If the plug too has caught fire, try turning off the electrical supply from the main electrical switchboard. You now have successfully cut the risk of electrocution and now it’s time to focus on putting the fire out.

Never throw water to an electrical fire

This might come as the first thought when an appliance bursts into flames, but don’t ever try to put it off with water. This will only make it worse as water and electricity do not mix and you may be risking yourself to get a really bad electrical shock.

Baking Soda can be a life saver

Yes that’s right. Small fires, the ones that erupt in kitchen appliances like a toaster or an overloaded extension cord can be put out by tossing baking soda directly onto the fire. Sodium bicarbonate, a chemical found in baking soda is present in Class C fire extinguishers so having a box of baking soda handy can be a life saver.

Prevent electrical fire before they start

While it’s important to know how to put out an electrical fire in case one takes places, taking a proactive, rather than a reactive approach will almost always save you from any mishap.

Discarding damaged appliances, keeping house wiring updated, turning off appliances when not under supervision, regularly testing smoke alarms and installing safety switches on every circuit are some of the things that you can do to prevent an electric fire or electric shock before it happens.

Wrapping up

If you feel that your house wiring is too old to handle the load of your modern appliances or your old appliances need an electrical safety inspection, feel free to call Mr. Electric Geelong and we will be more than happy to help you out and make your home safe from potential electrical hazards. Call us now at: 1300 956 201