Tips for Preventing Home Fires from Getting Out of Control
A small fire can become a big fire fast, creating a path of smoke and fire damage at your home or business. However, if you know how to stop it from spreading, it will not cause the fire disaster you dreaded. Having this basic knowledge can be useful when you are faced with fire. The following are 5 ways to prevent a fire from spreading.
1. Kitchen Stove Fire
The kitchen stove is the main culprit for the fire started in the house. Stove fire can become a big fire that burn down the house if you did not take the appropriate action to stop it. When you see fire on the stove, look for a pan and use it to cover the fire and put it off. If it is a fire caused by grease, get some baking soda and sprinkle them to put it off. A small kitchen stove fire can also be put off with a fire extinguisher. You keep pressing the fire extinguisher until it is empty. The fire extinguisher will create a foamy mess which you have to clean up later.
2. Electrical Fire
If an electrical appliance is on fire, the first thing you do is to unplug it. After that, you need to go to the main electrical panel and disable the electricity to the entire house. An electrical fire can be started when the appliance is overloaded. The best way to smother a fire caused by an electrical appliance is to pour some baking soda. A fire extinguisher can also be used but it should be a class C or class ABC type. Most small fire extinguishers designed for home use is classified as ABC type. Another way to put off an electrical fire is to cover the appliance that is caught on fire with a fire blanket.
3. Television Set on Fire
A television set can catch fire when you put too many things near it. There isn’t enough space for the air from the television vents to circulate. In a minute, your curtain, decor item, wall painting, and other things near the television could be on flame within minutes. If your TV set is on fire, quickly unplug it and douse water over it. It is not recommended to use a fire blanket to put off fire on television as the flame is bigger and can burn you.
4. Gas Fire
The gas that connects to your stovetop and fireplace can leak and start a fire on the surrounding structures. A gas fire can be very hot so you should not use water to put it off. The fire can boil the water and the hot steam will burn you. You can attempt to use a fire blanket or fire extinguisher to smother a gas fire.
5. Vehicle Fire
The vehicle can catch fire in the hood when the engine is overheated. When you realize your vehicle is on fire, you should turn off the ignition and get everyone outside. The next step is to call 911 to get the fire truck to reach you as soon as possible. You want to avoid opening the hood of your car as the flame can jump on you and the people nearby. If the fire is contained in the vehicle, you can extinguish it with a fire extinguisher.