A typical appliance repair emergency could be a leak or smoke or even a fire coming from the appliance.
In the event of an appliance emergency in your house, unplug the appliance immediately and then call Delta Des Moines Appliance Repair for local appliance repair in Des Moines. If there is an electrical fire involving one of the large or small appliances inside your house, we advise calling the city fire department even before you attempt to put out the fire yourself.
An electrical fire from an appliance is scary and very dangerous, but there are a few steps to be prepared in case of an emergency. If an appliance goes up in flames, it is very important to not panic and to remain calm. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your home safe from electrical fires.
PREVENTING ELECTRICAL FIRES
Homeowners can stop electrical fires from ever starting by following a few simple rules of appliance safety in a home. Don’t plug in more than two electrical devices into a single outlet—the wiring can become overloaded and spark a fire, especially when there is debris like paper or clothes near the electrical outlet.
Sometimes we forget about the apparent dangers of larger household appliances because they stay plugged in all of the time, but they still present as much chance for a fire hazard as small appliances like toasters and heaters. Larger appliances like a dishwasher or washing machine shouldn’t be left running overnight or while you are away from home, and don’t place a refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight, in order to prevent overworking the cooling systems inside.
Inspect all outlets regularly for excessive heat, burns, and crackling or buzzing sounds that might indicate electrical arcing. Be sure you keep at least one working smoke detector on each story of your house, and test them quarterly to keep them in working condition.
WHAT NOT TO DO
If there’s an appliance repair emergency involving an electrical fire, it can be tempting to douse the flames with water, but water should not be used to put out an electrical appliance fire.
Water will conduct electricity, and pouring water on a power source could give a severe electrical shock. It might even make the fire worse. Water can conduct the electricity to additional parts of the room, increasing the risk of igniting other flammable items nearby.
HOW TO PUT OUT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE
The first step you need to do is to unplug the appliance from the power outlet and call the local fire department. Even if you are able to take care of the fire on your own, it is important to have help if the flames do get out of control.
For minor fires, you could be able to use baking soda to smother the flames. Covering the fuming or burning spot with some baking soda can prohibit oxygen flow to the flames with minimal chance of electrocution. Baking soda also includes sodium bicarbonate, which is the chemical used in regulation fire extinguishers. You may be able to smother a smaller fire using a heavy blanket as well, but only if the fire is small enough to not catch the heavy blanket on fire too.
For large electrical fires, you need a Type C fire extinguisher. You should always be sure you own at least one Type C or multi-use fire extinguisher in your home. Extinguishers need to be checked consistently to be sure they aren’t expired. If there’s a working extinguisher in the home, pull the pin near the top, point the nozzle at the fire, and press the handle. If the flames get too big to put out alone or you are concerned the fire might block an exit, leave the home immediately, shut the door , and wait for help from the fire department.
For the smaller appliance fires, call Delta Des Moines Appliance Repair once the flames are extinguished and we will diagnose the cause of the fire and repair the appliance and return it to its original condition.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Appliance Repair Cost
Appliance Repair Tips
Appliance Safety
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts