Have you ever experienced an electrical fire? You would surely remember if you had. Singed outlets, sparks, and the smell of burning plastic indicate that there may be a problem with your wiring, which can in turn lead to an electrical fire. If you spot any of these issues on your property, make sure to call an electrician right away to have your equipment checked out. But what should you do if it’s too late, and an electrical fire occurs unexpectedly? Keep reading for our top three ways to put out an electrical fire, courtesy of our fire damage experts at FP Property Restoration.
What to Do If You Experience an Electrical Fire in Your Home
- Smother It with a Blanket: As simple as it may sound, grabbing a blanket and putting it over an electrical fire is a great way to prevent it from spreading. Granted, you will need to do this while the fire is still small, and you can put it out by depriving it of oxygen. You will also need to smother the fire—not just throw the blanket on top of it. That means you should grab something substantial, without a lot of loose threads that could contribute to the blaze. There are also specific products called fire blankets you can purchase, which should be highly effective at stopping any electrical fire before it gets too big.
- Use Baking Soda: Baking soda, to stop an electrical fire? Yes, it can work! While you may associate baking soda with cleaning or cooking, sodium bicarbonate (as it is officially called) can be poured on a fire before it gets out of control to help douse the flames. You will want to use the baking soda liberally, and ideally, you should employ this product for mild sparking, rather than a full-blown fire. But don’t underestimate the powers of baking soda. In fact, the same properties used to make this product also tend to show up when you…
- Get Out the Fire Extinguisher: If an electrical fire is rapidly starting to build, it may be best to skip the baking soda and the blanket and go right to the big guns, aka the fire extinguisher. An electrical fire is known as a “Class C” fire, and luckily, you can find a lot of Class C fire extinguishers for a reasonable price. We suggest keeping a fire extinguisher around the house anyway, just in case the unexpected occurs. While you may not want to bust one out for an electrical fire, as soon as those flames start to spread, you’ll be glad you have that fire extinguisher to stop the blaze with minimal damage.
For All Fire Damage, Feel Free to Call FP Property Restoration
Even if you have stopped an electrical fire before significant damage occurs, you may still need cleanup or repair services to ensure your property doesn’t experience structural issues down the line. At FP Property Restoration, we can offer you restoration for fires big and small, and our team will even work with your insurance company to make the entire process as easy as possible. From small electrical fires to major emergencies, do not hesitate to give our fire damage restoration team a call.
FP Property Restoration is available by phone 24/7 at (888) 408-2335, or you can fill out our contact form online.