Answer :
Final answer:
Water should not be used on electrical fires due to its conductivity, which poses a risk of electric shock and can worsen the situation by causing short circuits. Non-conductive substances like carbon dioxide or dry chemical powder are safer alternatives for extinguishing electrical fires.
Explanation:
Water-based fire extinguishers should not be used to extinguish electrical fires due to the inherent risks associated with water's conductivity of electricity. When water is applied to an electrical fire, it can act as a conductor allowing an electric current to travel through the water, potentially causing electric shock to anyone in contact with the water or in proximity to the fire. Furthermore, using water can also cause damage to electrical equipment and increase the risk of electrical short circuits, making the situation more hazardous.
The advice to not flick electric switches with wet hands is based on the same principle; water can conduct electricity and increase the risk of electric shock. Opting for fire extinguishers that use non-conductive substances like carbon dioxide (CO2) or dry chemical powder is safer, as these materials can extinguish the fire without the risk of conducting electricity.
