DIY 101: How to Fight Small Fires at Your Home

Jan 12, 2025 | By HappyTask Blog Team

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With the recent wildfires in Southern California serving as a stark reminder of how devastating fires can be, it’s more important than ever to prioritize fire safety in our homes. While wildfires are often beyond our control, house fires are frequently preventable. By understanding common causes, equipping yourself with the right tools, and learning how to respond, you can keep your home and loved ones safe.

What Are The Common Causes of House Fires and How to Prevent Them?

House fires can start unexpectedly, but being aware of common causes can help you prevent them:

1. Cooking Fires

Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of house fires. Grease fires, for instance, can ignite in seconds.

Prevention Tips: Always stay in the kitchen when cooking, keep flammable items like towels away from the stove, and never pour water on a grease fire—it will only spread the flames.

2. Electrical Fires

Overloaded outlets, damaged cords, and outdated wiring are common culprits of electrical fires.

Prevention Tips: Regularly inspect cords for damage, avoid overloading power strips, and update old electrical systems.

3. Fires in Fireplaces

Improper maintenance of fireplaces can lead to chimney fires or sparks igniting nearby objects.

Prevention Tips: Have your chimney inspected annually, keep flammable materials at least three feet away, and always use a fireplace screen to contain sparks.

4. Heating Equipment Fires

Portable heaters placed too close to furniture or blankets can easily start fires.

Prevention Tips: Keep heaters at least three feet away from flammable items and use models with automatic shut-off features.

5. Smoking-Related Fires

Improperly extinguished cigarettes are a significant fire risk.

Prevention Tips: Avoid smoking indoors, especially near flammable materials, and always use an ashtray.

Photo by Ashikur Rahman

What Are Essential Tools and Resource to Keep at Home for Fire Safety?

Being prepared can make all the difference in controlling a small fire. Here’s what you should have:

Fire Extinguishers: Keep at least one multi-purpose extinguisher (Class A, B, C) in key areas like the kitchen and garage. Knowing the difference between extinguisher types is crucial:

Class	Type of Fire	Examples of Combustibles	Best Used In
Class A	Fires involving ordinary combustibles	Wood, paper, cloth, plastic	Bedrooms, living rooms
Class B	Fires involving flammable liquids	Grease, gasoline, oil, paint	Kitchens, garages
Class C	Fires involving electrical equipment	Wiring, outlets, appliances	Anywhere with electronics

Smoke Detectors: Install smoke detectors in every bedroom and common area. Test them regularly and replace batteries twice a year.
Fire Blankets: A fire blanket is a safety device made of fire-resistant material, such as fiberglass or treated wool, designed to smother small fires by cutting off the oxygen supply. Unlike fire extinguishers, which use chemicals or foam to extinguish flames, fire blankets work through a physical barrier to contain the fire. Keep fire blankets in high-risk areas, such as the kitchen, to quickly smother small fires.
Buckets of Sand: These are particularly effective for putting out grease fires or electrical fires at home.
Escape Ladders: If you have an upper floor, keep collapsible escape ladders in bedrooms for quick evacuation.

How to Put Out Different Types of Fires?

Knowing how to act quickly and appropriately can prevent a small fire from turning into a disaster. Always call 911 first to ensure help is on the way before attempting to handle the fire yourself.

1. How to Put Out an Electrical Fire

If you’re wondering how to put out electrical fires at home, the key is to stay calm and follow these steps:

If safe, unplug the electrical device causing the fire.
Use a Class C fire extinguisher to smother the flames. Never use water—it conducts electricity and can worsen the situation.
Pro Tip: Keep a bucket of sand nearby as an alternative for small electrical fires.

2. How to Put Out Fires in Fireplaces

Fires in fireplaces can sometimes spread beyond their intended area. Here’s how to handle it:

Spread fireplace ashes to suffocate the flames. Use a fire blanket or shovel to contain any sparks.
Never pour water directly into a hot fireplace as it can crack the masonry.

3. How to Put Out Grease Fires

Grease fires are common in kitchens and must be handled carefully:

Do NOT use water. Cover the pan with a metal lid to smother the flames.
Turn off the heat source immediately.
If the fire spreads, use a Class B extinguisher.

4. How to Put Out Paper/Wood Fires

For general fires involving paper or wood:

Use a Class A extinguisher or douse with water if safe. Fire blankets also work well to smother flames.

5. How to Put Out Chemical Fires

These often occur in garages or workshops and involve flammable liquids like gasoline:

Use a Class B extinguisher to handle the fire. Never use water.

General Safety Tips for All Fires

Always assess the situation before attempting to extinguish a fire. If the flames are spreading rapidly or if there is heavy smoke, evacuate immediately and wait for emergency services.
Keep fire extinguishers and fire blankets in easily accessible locations throughout your home.
Regularly practice fire drills with your household to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

Photo by damian Ruitenga

When to Stop and Evacuate Immediately?

While knowing how to fight small fires is crucial, there are certain situations where attempting to extinguish a fire yourself is too dangerous. Understanding when to stop and evacuate can save lives.

Here are the circumstances when you should leave the area immediately and wait for emergency services to handle the situation:

1. The Fire is Spreading Quickly

If the flames are growing rapidly and you cannot contain them within a few seconds, it’s time to evacuate. Fires double in size every 30 seconds, so trying to extinguish a large, fast-moving fire puts you at significant risk.

2. Heavy Smoke is Filling the Room

Smoke inhalation is one of the leading causes of fatalities in house fires. If the room starts to fill with thick smoke, leave immediately. Even a few breaths of toxic smoke can cause disorientation, choking, or unconsciousness.

3. The Fire Blocks Your Exit

Never position yourself where the fire is between you and your exit. If your escape route is blocked or the fire spreads toward your path, evacuate immediately through an alternative exit.

4. Your Fire Extinguisher Runs Out or is Ineffective

Fire extinguishers have limited capacity. If your extinguisher empties before the fire is under control, stop and get to safety. Similarly, if the flames reignite or grow despite using the extinguisher, it’s a sign the fire is beyond your control.

5. The Fire is Reaching Hazardous Materials

If the fire spreads near flammable substances (e.g., gasoline, chemicals, or propane tanks), the risk of explosion becomes too high. Leave the area immediately and notify first responders of the potential hazards.

6. You Feel Overwhelmed or Unsafe

Your safety and health are the top priority. If you feel panicked, disoriented, or physically unsafe, it’s best to leave the fire to professionals. Don’t put yourself at risk by staying in a dangerous situation.

What to Do When Evacuating

Close Doors Behind You: If possible, close doors as you exit to slow the spread of the fire.
Alert Others: Make sure everyone in the household is aware of the fire and evacuates promptly.
Stay Low: If there is smoke, crawl low to the ground where the air is clearer and cover your face with moisturized towel.
Call 911: Ensure help is on the way, even if you believe the fire is small.
Do Not Re-Enter: Never go back inside a burning building, no matter the circumstances.

Conclusion

Fire safety starts with prevention and preparation. While understanding how to put out small fires—like electrical fires at home or grease fires in the kitchen—is crucial, always remember that your first step should be to call 911 for help. Equip your home with essential tools like fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire blankets, and educate everyone in your household on fire safety procedures. By taking these steps, you can protect your home and loved ones from potential fire hazards.

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