Many homeowners believe they take all the necessary steps to prevent an electrical fire in their home, but with more than 25,000 electrical fires reported every year in the United States, it’s worth going over again and again. The most common cause of electrical fires in the mishandling of electrical devices. All it takes is a little mistake and you could lose everything you care about. Almost half of home electrical fires involve some type of electrical distribution equipment such as wiring, switches, outlets, lamps, cords or plugs. The Electrical Safety Foundation International states that electrical fires can cause close to $1.5 billion dollars in property damage and can be deadly. Not only are electrical fires dangerous, but they are preventable. The safety of your home and family is of utmost importance and it doesn’t usually mean you have to do anything crazy like rewire your whole home.
Tips for How to Prevent Electrical Fires
1. Overloading Electrical Outlets Causes Fires. With all the appliances and electrical devices today, it’s easy to overload an outlet. But circuits are only capable of handling so much and they can’t prevent you from plugging in too much. This is asking for trouble as it can easily start a fire. If you need more access to electricity, you should use surge protectors or have more outlets installed.
2. Can Water in an Electrical Outlet Cause a Fire? Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) need to be used in kitchens, utility rooms and garages, where water is present. These will cut the power off if they are exposed to water to avoid fires. This is because while water causes an interruption that makes the outlet quit working, the wires connected to the outlet may still carry a live electrical current. This live current poses both a fire hazard and electrocution risk if GFCIs are not present.
3. Can Leaving Things Plugged in be a Fire Hazard? Don’t leave electrical devices unattended. This doesn’t mean you need to stand by your computer or your TV 24/7, but it’s not a good idea to let space heaters run when no one is in the room. This is more important for appliances in the kitchen because it’s the number one room where house fires start.
4. Don’t Place Flammables Close to Electrical Outlets, Cords or Heat Sources. Drapes and/or carpets can come into contact with electrical devices. Electricity can generate heat and while it’s a mild amount of heat, an even continuous supply of it can ignite flammables.
5. Replace Failing Appliances. Do you find that appliance spark when you plug them in, or trip breakers every time you use them? These are indicators that an electrical fire may be brewing. Don’t ignore these signs and call an electrician.
6. Have Electrical Safety & Code Inspections Done. It never hurts to be proactive. It’s hard to keep up with all the little things that can change with electrical codes. You may have no idea how old the wiring in your home is or how old the smoke detectors are. This is the reason you should have a professional inspection done. The experts have the training and tools to ensure your home is safe from potential electrical fires.
Electrical Services & More in Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter & Boca Raton & Palm Beach County Florida
The last thing you want is to have an electrical fire that could have been avoided. Simon Electric offers a full range or electrical support, repair and replacement services. Take advantage of our services to keep your home and family safe. Give us a call today.
