Whether you're camping, cooking, or just minding your own business, knowing how to put out a fire or fire properly will help you be prepared for any situation. You can enjoy a bonfire worry-free, if you know the right technique for putting it out. You can learn how to deal with campfires, bushfires, kitchen fires, and other common fires to keep yourself and your family safe. See step 1 for more information.
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Method 1 of 4: Extinguishing a Fire in the Kitchen
Step 1. Disconnect the microwave or heat oxygen from the oven
If something catches fire in the oven or heating machine, stay calm. Turn off the equipment, close the door, and observe carefully. Closing it and eliminating the heat source should let a small fire go out quickly. Take your fire extinguisher and observe it closely.
If the fire does not go out, carefully open the door and spray the fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. If you're having trouble, "call the fire department immediately."
Step 2. Put the cap on the burning object
If something is burning in a frying pan, use a lid (or a larger lid) to smother it quickly and extinguish it. This is the fastest and most efficient way to stop the fire.
Consider moving the fryer outside, if the flames create a stinky smoke. Rinse with a hose when it has cooled down to rid it of the smelly mess from your kitchen. Make sure you're wearing heat-resistant gloves or oven mitts before trying to hold the handle
Step 3. Use baking soda or salt for fire due to oil (fat)
If you fry bacon and the oil hits the heat, it can get tricky. You can use the cover method, or use a slightly damp towel to put out the fire. However, usually the safest and fastest method (though, not the cleanest) is to sprinkle baking soda or a lot of salt on the oil to absorb it quickly, and eliminate the fire at the source.
- You should also feel free to use a fire extinguisher on the burning oil. The fire extinguisher works very well. Stand at a safe distance from the oil and activate the fire extinguisher.
- Never use water or flour on burning oil. Flour can ignite, make the fire worse, and-because water doesn't mix with oil-water can cause the oil to spray everywhere, throwing burning oil into other nearby areas.
Step 4. Always contact firefighters immediately in the event of an electrical fire
Electrical fires are very dangerous to try to control or extinguish by yourself, because they are very difficult to anticipate and trace their source. Get out of your house immediately, remove everyone for safety, and call the fire department.
Method 2 of 4: Extinguishing the Campfire
Step 1. Keep the fire safe
When you enjoy a campfire, make sure the fire is well maintained. Don't make it any bigger than your group needs, and keep the fire steady with large, dry pieces of wood. Do not put green or live wood in the fire and always be close, to keep an eye on it.
- Make sure the fire pit is the right size and of good quality before starting the fire. Consider reinforcing the metal fire pit by piling earth or rock to keep the fire in a safe place, and burn properly.
- NEVER burn glass or glassware, aluminum cans, or any type of aerosol packaged under pressure. These items will not burn, and will be very dangerous when heated.
Step 2. Let the fire burn out before putting it out
The best way to make sure your fire is safe to put out is to let it burn and scorch for a while before you start dousing it with water. When you're ready for the night to come, spread the coals out as thinly as possible, and then stop stirring the fire, letting the fire slowly go out.
Wait until you see a lot of charcoal accumulating where the coals are, and wait for the flame to go out. Raise your hand over the flame and trace where the heat is coming from
Step 3. Sprinkle plenty of water over the coals
Slowly pour in the water, holding your bucket close to the coals. Don't throw it away or throw it away, as it can create a sudden billow of smoke and ash which can be dangerous. Aim the water at the embers, flame, or else, pour in slowly, and continue pouring water over the fire, until the hissing sound has completely stopped. Then, sprinkle a little more water around it just to be safe. Gently stir the residue with a stick or shovel to make sure that it is completely extinguished.
Step 4. Use soil or sand as an alternative to water
Add approximately equal amounts of soil or sand to the coals and stir to cover the burning coals, to extinguish them. Continue to slowly add the coating to the heat and stir until it is cool enough to touch.
Never bury a fire. Burying a fire may leave the fire burning, spread to the roots of dry trees or shrubs to catch fire, and allow it to continue to burn without your knowledge
Step 5. Make sure everything has cooled down before leaving it
The ashes from the coals and wood should be cool enough to touch before you can actually leave them. There should be no smoke coming out of the fire, and you should be able to detect the absence of heat. Leave it for a while and check after a few minutes to be sure.
Method 3 of 4: Fighting Bushfires
Step 1. Find out what sources are available to prevent the fire
If you are near a water source from a pressurized system, and have enough hoses available, use them to extinguish small fires, and wet potential fuel in the immediate area.
Step 2. Use a tool to create a fire break, if no water is available
Dig a shallow trench around the fire, or remove any potential fuel by scraping (scraping) as much soil as possible. Concentrate on the area where the fire is winding, as the wind will push the fire in that direction.
Use heavy equipment, if available, to create larger firebreaks, if the situation requires. A field tractor with discs, bulldozers, or other equipment can quickly create a sizable firebreak
Step 3. Try putting out the fire with water
Use buckets, pots, or other containers to carry water to the fire, if no extinguishing equipment is available, as well as a stream or pond, or other nearby water sources. If you are close enough to use the hose on the bush, use the water as quickly as possible.
Try and control the fire by wetting the ground in the direction the fire is likely to travel. If the fire is blowing in a certain direction, watch the wind for its movement and cut off its path
Step 4. Be prepared to evacuate the area, if the danger reaches an unacceptable level
If you must run from the fire, choose a path that can be traveled quickly and easily, away from the path of the fire. If the smoke and heat are getting intense, cover your mouth with your clothes, preferably by wetting them first.
Step 5. Call firefighters
If your burnt pile of leaves has gotten a little out of control, for example, but a serious bush fire needs to be treated immediately by a professional. Think best and contact firefighters immediately when the bushfire crosses an area or size that can be handled on its own.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Common Fires
Step 1. Always keep a good quality fire extinguisher in your home
Consider having some in easy-to-reach locations, and make sure everyone in your household knows how to use them. Keep one in your basement, another in the kitchen, and somewhere else in the house, such as near the bed area. The extinguisher will be in good condition for a few years, but test it regularly, and refill it to make sure it's ready when you need it.
Step 2. Keep your fire alarm in good condition
Check your fire alarm monthly to make sure the battery is in good condition, and replace it regularly. Having a good warning system can provide a few important extra minutes that can make the difference between an inconvenience and a disaster.
Step 3. Maintain the condition of your electrical equipment regularly
Sockets and plug boards should never be overloaded. Avoid plugging the power cord beyond the load that an electrical outlet can accommodate to reduce the possibility of a dangerous electrical fire. Regularly unplug equipment that is not in use to avoid unnecessary circuits or electrical circuits.
Use space heaters wisely. Keep flammable clothing and other substances away from space heaters and other appliances, which might cause objects to catch fire
Step 4. Be careful with the wax
More than a third of house fires start with candles. Never leave candles unattended, and make sure they are far enough away from curtains and other fabrics, which could start a fire. Always place candles securely, and make sure they are completely extinguished when you leave them.
Consider using an electric or battery-operated heater instead of an exposed candle. You can get all the aromatic benefits of burning candles, without the risk of fire
Tips
- Keep fires in the kitchen or for cooking, campfires, and garbage fires under constant surveillance and tight control. Before starting a fire, make sure you have enough water and equipment to extinguish the fire properly.
- You should always have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. If not, buy a fire blanket.
- If there is a fire due to electricity or oil, then do not use water to extinguish it. In such cases, use a fire extinguisher or some other equipment.
- When deciding how to fight the fire, consider your physical limitations.
- Do not attempt to extinguish an electric fire unless the power is turned off.
- Using earth for a fire pit or fire receptacle may be better than using rocks, as the rock can expand and even explode if it gets too hot.
