An electrical fire that ends up engulfing your home can be devastating. When you are trying to recover from a tragedy like that, it really makes you sit back and think about what could have been done to avoid it in the first place. There are several safety measures that can be taken to help you avoid this altogether. Simon Electric is here to share some tips to avoid electrical fires so you don’t find yourself in this predicament.
Overloading Electrical Outlets Can Cause Fires; Use Surge Protectors!
Each outlet in your home is only designed to withstand so much. With the multitude of electronic devices that we use today, it can be easy to overload an outlet. Unfortunately, you may not even realize that you are overloading an outlet. There is no indicator that will warn you against this. The safest way to avoid this problem is to use devices that have safe surge protection on them. Surge protectors help protect appliances and other electrical devices plugged into outlets from the dangers of a power surge. A power surge can increase the amount of electricity flowing to your outlet and overload it, causing the appliance to spark. Surge protectors help prevent this potential fire hazard. Depending on your electrical needs, you may also need to have more outlets installed in your home by a professional electrician.
Where are GFCI Outlets Needed?
Any outlets that are found near water sources in the kitchen, bathroom or the garage should come equipped with GFCI outlets. These are the only outlets that are truly safe near water sources. Because GFCI outlets detect ground faults, they can prevent some electrical fires and reduce the severity of other fires by interrupting the flow of electric current.
Leaving Space Heaters, Curling Irons & Other Electrical Devices Plugged in Unattended is a Bad Idea
Of course you are going to leave electrical devices like computers and televisions plugged in all the time, but whenever you have anything like a space heater or a curling iron plugged in and turned on, you shouldn’t leave it unattended. There are several electrical devices in the kitchen that should be closely watched as well since this in the number one place in the home that fires usually start.
Get Rid of Old, Underperforming Appliances
Do you have appliances that spark each time you plug them in? Or appliances that trip your breaker each time you use them? These are signs that you need to get rid of them and upgrade to newer and more efficient appliances. They can easily overheat and cause an electrical fire. Any of these signs mean that the appliance is a ticking time bomb.
Never Leave Flammable Materials Near Heat Sources
Materials like drapes and area rugs can be a hazard when they are near heat sources. While the problem may not be immediate, over time it could become a fire hazard. Electricity generates a certain amount of heat and when these materials are near it for too long, they can become flammable.
Electricians & Electrical Contractor Services in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter & Boca Raton & Palm Beach County Florida
As the demand for electrical devices seems to get more and more prevalent, you need to make sure your electrical system can keep up with it all. Also, electrical codes are constantly changing. To ensure your home is safe from electrical fires, it is important to have a routine electrical inspection performed by the experts at Simon Electric once a year. Don’t wait until you experience the devastating effects of an electrical fire before you make sure your electrical system is safe. Call us today!
