Health and Safety in the Salon Practice Test

Water conducts electricity, so using a water-based extinguisher on an electrical fire is unsafe. Spraying water onto energized equipment can cause electrical shock to you and others and may spread the fire through moisture or create new electrical paths that worsen the situation. The safest approach is to shut off power if you can do so safely, then use non-conductive extinguishing methods such as carbon dioxide or dry chemical. CO2 is effective for electrical fires and leaves less residue, though it must be used with ventilation in mind due to asphyxiation risk; dry chemical is also suitable because it coats the components and interrupts the electrical path without conducting electricity. In short, avoid water-based extinguishers on electrical fires; opt for non-conductive agents and de-energize the equipment if possible.