Professional fire restoration is essential in several situations: MC Shine offers full service fire-restoration to help you with all of this!

  1. After a Fire Incident: Any time there has been a fire, no matter how small, professional restoration is needed to assess and repair the damage.
  2. Smoke Damage: Even if a fire doesn’t destroy your property, the smoke can leave behind odors and residues that require expert cleaning.
  3. Soot Cleanup: Soot from the fire can spread throughout the house, contaminating surfaces and air quality, necessitating professional soot removal.
  4. Water Damage from Firefighting Efforts: The water used to extinguish the fire can cause significant water damage, which needs to be addressed by fire and flood restoration specialists.
  5. Structural Damage: Any fire that compromises the structure of a building requires professional assessment and repair to ensure safety and stability.
  6. Health Concerns: Fires can leave behind hazardous materials and poor air quality that pose health risks, making professional cleanup critical for a safe living environment.
  7. Insurance Requirements: Often, insurance companies require a professional fire restoration assessment and cleanup to process claims effectively.
  8. Engaging professional fire restoration services ensures that all of these aspects are thoroughly and safely managed, helping you restore your home and peace of mind.

How to Put Out An Electrical Fire

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of encountering an electrical fire, stay calm. You may handle a fire that involves a small appliance or tool IF you are comfortable doing so. But, if it’s a large fire involving major appliances or if the fire has already spread to surrounding combustible materials, never try to extinguish it. Get everyone out of your home or building and call 911 immediately. Here are steps that will help you safely and quickly put out an electric fire:

1. Cut the power

If it is safe to do so, immediately disconnect the power source in the affected area. This could mean flipping the circuit breaker or unplugging appliances. However, never attempt this if you are unsure or if the situation seems dangerous.

2. Spray the fire with a class C fire extinguisher

A class C fire extinguisher is an appropriate option when it comes to electrical fires. It uses non-conducive agents like dry chemicals or carbon dioxide to extinguish the flames without conducting electricity.

Make sure to read the instructions carefully before using it. Maintaining and inspecting the fire extinguisher on a regular basis is also crucial. To do this, make sure the tamper seal and pin are intact and check the pressure gauge. It is necessary to regularly replace or recharge the fire extinguisher to guarantee its complete functionality in the event of an emergency.

3. Don’t use water

The first guideline about electrical fires is never to use water. This is because electricity can travel through water and could cause electrocution as water is a powerful conductor of electricity.  It can be extremely risky and even fatal to use water near malfunctioning electrical or broken power cords.

Water can conduct electricity, increasing the likelihood of fire igniting, spreading, and starting an electrical fire. Therefore, it is advisable to always use the proper fire extinguisher.

4. If in doubt, Let the Professionals Handle it

If you see that the fire is getting bigger and realize that you are not able to properly put it out, leave your home immediately. Small electrical fires can frequently be put out, so take advantage of those first few moments to assess and try to put the fire out yourself. To keep the fire contained, shut the door behind you as you leave your house. Once your family and you have safely left your home, dial 911.