How Can You Put Out a Fire?

Every 96 seconds, a house fire breaks out in the United States. A statistic like that can strike fear into the heart of every homeowner. No one ever wants to see flames crackling to life in their home. The key, however, is not to ignore the possibility of fire but to be prepared if to happens. 

How can you put out a fire to keep your family and home safe? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) organizes fires into five fire categories. In this article, we’ll discuss the best way to approach a home fire depending on its category as well as other important factors. 

Key Takeaways

• Before putting out a fire, check whether it’s actually safe to try. If the fire’s spreading quickly or blocking your exit, just get out and call 911. 
• Knowing the type of fire you’re dealing with matters. Water works on some fires and makes others worse. 
• Some of the most effective ways of extinguishing a fire include using an extinguisher, pouring water on the fire, smothering it with a blanket or lid, using baking soda, and cutting off the fuel or heat source. 
• Even after the flames are out, hidden damage like smoke, soot, and lingering heat can remain. 
• If fire damages your home, SERVPRO is ready 24/7 to help restore your property.  

Before Putting Out a Fire, Decide Whether It Is Safe

Your safety and the safety of your family members and housemates are always your number one priority when a fire breaks out at home. In 2024, structure fires caused over 10,000 civilian injuries and more than 3,000 deaths. Don’t become part of this year’s unfortunate statistic! 

If you spot a fire or smell smoke, get everyone to leave the house and then call 911. Keep your exit path clear and behind you at all times. Only consider putting out the fire if it’s small (no bigger than a wastebasket) and not growing. 

If smoke starts filling the room, you’re not sure what’s burning, or your attempts to put out the flames aren’t working, close the door and leave your house. Don’t go back in.  

Know the Fire Type Before Choosing a Method

Every fire needs three things to burn: heat, fuel, and oxygen. To put out a fire, you must remove one of these elements or break the chemical reaction feeding the fire. As we mentioned earlier, the NFPA breaks fires down into five categories based on their fuel type: 

• Class A: Wood, paper, cloth, and other ordinary combustibles 
• Class B: Flammable liquids and gases, like gasoline or propane 
• Class C: Live electrical equipment or wiring 
• Class D: Combustible metals, such as magnesium or titanium 
• Class K: Cooking oils and fats 

When you know which class of fire you’re dealing with, you can choose the right method to put it out. Using the wrong method on the wrong fire type can make the fire much worse.  

5 Ways of Extinguishing a Small Fire 

A fire pops up in your kitchen or garage—and your heart jumps into your throat. Before you panic, take a breath. The best way to extinguish a fire depends entirely on what’s burning and whether the fire is manageable.  

If the fire is small and isn’t growing, then there are five common ways to take action: 

1. Use the Correct Fire Extinguisher

In many cases, the fastest and most effective way to fight a fire is to use a fire extinguisher. But there’s a big caveat. Not all extinguishers are the same or work for all types of fire. It’s smart to stock your house with different types of extinguishers that can work on every class of fire.  

Next, make sure you know how to use an extinguisher. The PASS acronym can help: 

• Pull the pin 
• Aim at the base 
• Squeeze the handle 
• Sweep across the fire 

2. Cool a Small Class A Fire With Water

If you have a Class A fire in your home, try pouring water on it. Water can cool or douse a small fire involving wood, paper, or cloth. Just make sure you know what’s causing the fire.  

Never use water on cooking oil, flammable liquids, or electrical equipment. 

3. Smother a Small Cooking Fire with a Fire Blanket or Lid

It’s easy to take your eyes off the stove for just a moment, only to find flames licking inside the pan when you turn around. First, turn off the burners. Then, if it’s safe, slide a metal lid or a fire blanket over the pan to cut off its oxygen supply. Leave the blanket or lid in place until the pan cools completely.  

4. Use Baking Soda for a Very Small Grease Fire

If you aren’t keeping a close eye on your stove, the cooking oil in your pan can get too hot and ignite. Water won’t work on a grease fire. Instead, pour a generous amount of baking soda onto the fire. This can help suppress the flames by releasing carbon dioxide as it hits the heat.  

Never use flour, sugar, or baking powder, since these can make the fire worse.  

5. Remove the Heat or Fuel Source When It Is Safe

Another way to stop a fire is to starve it. If you’ve got a fire on the stove, turn off the burner if it’s safe. If smoke is coming out of an appliance, unplug it as long as there’s no heat or smoke near the plug. Likewise, you can also shut off your home’s gas supply if you can reach the valve without going near any flames.  

It bears repeating: never enter a hazardous area or touch damaged electrical equipment.  

When You Should Not Try to Put Out the Fire

Some fires just aren’t worth fighting. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s time to get yourself and your family out of the house immediately: 

• The fire is bigger than a wastebasket. 
• It’s spreading past where it started. 
• Thick smoke is filling the room. 
• It’s blocking your path to the exit. 
• You don’t know what’s fueling it. 
• Your attempts to stop the fire aren’t working. 

When evacuating your home, close doors behind you if possible. Call 911 once you’re safely out of the house. Don’t go back for anything. No item in your home is worth more than you and your family.  

What to Do After a Fire Is Extinguished

Just because the flames are out doesn’t mean your home is now safe. Fires can reignite from hidden embers. Wait until the fire department gives you the all-clear before going back inside. Also, leave wiring, appliances, and damaged materials alone until the authorities confirm that they’re safe to handle.  

Even after the flames are gone, fire usually leaves behind smoke, soot, and lingering odors. You may also be facing water damage from the firefighting efforts. All of this damage calls for a professional assessment and fire damage restoration.  

Call SERVPRO for Fire Damage Restoration

Knowing how you can put out a fire only covers the first few minutes of an emergency. Once the flames are gone and the firefighters release your property, the real recovery work begins.  

SERVPRO can assess the smoke, soot, odor, water, and structural damage in your home and then begin the fire damage restoration process.  

If you’ve had a fire in your house, start the recovery process now. Find your local SERVPRO.  

FAQs

How Can You Put Out a Fire?

You may be able to put out a small fire by knowing the fire class (in other words, what’s burning). The best way to put out a fire is often to use an extinguisher rated for that fire along with the PASS technique. Always evacuate your home if the fire grows or you can’t put it out.  

Can You Put Out a Fire Without a Fire Extinguisher?

You may be able to put out very small fires without a fire extinguisher. Try smothering the flames with a fire blanket or metal lid. You can also use water on Class A fires. Don’t attempt to put out a fire that’s spreading. 

What Should You Never Use to Put Out a Fire?

Don’t use water on grease, electrical, or flammable liquid fires. In these cases, water can spread the flames or cause a shock. Never use flour, sugar, or baking powder on a grease fire either, as these can cause the fire to get worse.