Q&A for How to Put Out Electrical Fires

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How do I safely enter a house or room that's on fire?

David Decker
Firefighting Expert
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.

David Decker

Firefighting Expert

Expert Answer

Entering 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.

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Question

How do I prevent electrical fires?

David Decker
Firefighting Expert
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.

David Decker

Firefighting Expert

Expert Answer

To 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.

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Question

Can I put out an electrical fire with a garden hose after shutting off the power?

Upnorth Here

Top Answerer

Yes, 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).

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Question

Which is best to put out an electrical fire––oxygen or carbon dioxide?

Community Answer

Co2 is used in fire extinguishers, it actually removes two of the elements fire needs to make fire. Oxygen, on the other hand, is what the fire needs to burn.

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Question

What else could you use besides a fire extinguisher or blanket?

Cherrilyn Zapanza-Lim

Community Answer

Cut off the electricity. If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it. Add sodium bicarbonate. Remove the oxygen source.

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What happens if I get soapy water on a light switch and it goes under the switch a bit?

Grace

Community Answer

It should be fine! Turn off the light just to be safe, and wait until the water evaporates. (You can help it evaporate faster by removing the switch plate and even using something like a fan or a hair dryer on it.)

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