How to Put Out Small Electric Heater Fires
When the prices of heating fuels rise, consumers look for alternative ways to heat their homes without the expense. Small electric heaters are used quite often. They are inexpensive to buy, easy to operate and they can help heat individual rooms of homes. Unfortunately, electric heaters can cause fires if they are not used properly. Read on to find out how to put out small electric heater fires. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Unplug the electric heater if you can do it safely. Otherwise, flip off the breaker in the control panel that supplies electric to the electric heater. Cutting the power will help lessen the fire by stopping sparking. It will also eliminate the chance of you or someone else getting electrocuted.
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2
Tell another person in the household to call the local fire department while you work to put out the small electric heater fire. The department needs to be notified so they can come and inspect the situation, and make sure the fire is completely extinguished. If you're alone, call the fire department yourself.
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3
Spray the fire with a class C or an ABC fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Both these extinguishers are designed to put electrical fires out. Remove the pin on the extinguisher. Aim the head at the base of the fire and pull the lever to release its contents. Move the fire extinguisher from side-to-side to put out a small electric heater fire.
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4
Grab a fire blanket and place it over the small electric heater. Hold the top of the blanket and wrap your hands inside it to protect them from the flames. The blanket will help smother the fire by cutting off the oxygen. Fire blankets are specially designed not to burn. You can also use a fire blanket to wrap around a person who is on fire.
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Throw baking soda on the small electric heater fire if there's no fire extinguisher or fire blanket available. The soda will help smother the flames. You'll need to put the soda directly on the flames, and in heaping handfuls to be effective.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the fire extinguisher you use is designed to be used on an electrical fire.
Never, ever put water on an electrical fire.
