How to Put Out Trash Can Fires
A trash can fire can be a small inconvenience that destroys a can and sets off a smoke alarm, or a serious problem that endangers your home and everybody inside it. Dealing with the fire as soon as it is discovered ensures that you eliminate the fire before it evolves into something you cannot control. Two common household items will put these fires out. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Dump dry baking soda over the fire inside the can. The baking soda cools and smothers the fire. The amount of baking soda you need varies per size of the can and fire, but you can never use too much. Continue pouring baking into the can until the fire is completely out or barely visible.
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2
Drench the inside of the trash can with water. This include any items located inside the can. The water prevents the fire from reigniting and also puts out any small, left over fires.
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3
Cover the can with its lid or with a similar object. Make sure the lid is on as tightly as possible. Doing so depletes the oxygen inside the can, which eliminates any fire. Leave the lid over the can for roughly 10 minutes, but stay close to the can so you will notice if the fire starts up again. Repeat steps one through three if another fire does start up, otherwise proceed to step four.
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4
Remove all items from the trash can carefully (wearing gloves is recommended as the items will likely be very hot). Drench all of the trash in water one final time, and then place them in a separate garbage bag.
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