Either it’s a new or a renovated home, buying home appliances in Pakistan has never been so easier. There is a huge range of products to choose from. And if the home appliance catches an electrical fire, then it can be too petrifying, in fact fairly dangerous. So, one must be prepared to handle such emergencies. Keep in mind that you must not be panic.
Here, our experts will provide some useful guidelines for kitchen and home appliances so to help you keep your home safe from fires or hazards:
Avoid Catching Electrical Fire
One of the simplest ways to prevent catching electrical fire is to make sure that too many devices shouldn’t be plugged into one outlet. This is so because wiring can get encumbered which may spark a fire. Don’t forget to keep the clothes and paper away from the outlet as they can catch fire quickly. We always recommend plugging out large appliances once the chores are done as to prevent fire hazards. Large appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines should not be left running during the night or when you are away from home.
Likewise, deep freezers or refrigerators shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight to prevent overburdening their cooling systems. You should check all outlets on a routine basis to prevent buzzing sounds, burn marks and unnecessary heat. All these can result in the formation of an electrical arc.
What should be avoided?
In case if a fire breaks, it can be stressful to extinguish flames with water. But nobody can figure out how dangerous it can be to use water on an electrical fire. This is because water controls electricity. And putting water on or near the power supply can ultimately result in a severe electrical shock. In the worst situation, water can even make the fire worse. Since other parts of the room can also have electrical outlets, so, water can increase the chance of igniting other inflammable objects which are nearby.
How to Douse an Electrical Fire?
To extinguish an electrical fire, you must first disconnect the device from the power supply. Then immediately contact the fire extinguishing department. If you believe that you can take care of the fire by yourself, then you should have its backup in case if the flame goes out of control.
If it’s a small fire, you can use baking soda to extinguish the flames. By covering the burning area with a thick layer of baking soda, you’ll be able to block the flow of oxygen to the flames with the least risk of injury.
It is important to note that baking soda comprises sodium bicarbonate and this substance is also used in fire extinguishers. You can use a heavy blanket only if you find that there is a small fire and it can be extinguished. Larger flames can turn the blanket into the fire.
Large flames can be extinguished with Type C fire extinguisher. Either it’s an office or a home, fire extinguishers should be checked on a regular basis. Do ensure that they have not expired. If there is a working extinguisher, you can pull the pin at the top and aiming its nozzle to the point where there is a flame and press its handle. If you find that the flames are getting too high, then it’s appropriate to leave the building instantly, closing the door when leaving and waiting for the fire department for assistance.
For more details and queries about home appliances in Pakistan, you can call us on 0340-1111-444.
