Easy Ways To Prevent Electrical Fires In The Home

Easy ways to prevent electrical fires in the home

by

Don Carter

Are you aware that each year, there are 67,800 electrical fires in the home that take the lives of 485 citizens, hurt 2,305 more people, and cause $868 million dollars in property loss*? Some electrical fires are caused by lightning and poorly wired appliances, but usually a lot more are caused by poorly installed wiring, poor use of extension cords, and overloaded circuits. In fact, non-code wiring (perhaps done by do-it-your-selfers) causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances. While it is always best to have any electrician service done by a certified electrical contractor, there are many things you can do within the home or office to help keep your family safe.

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Basic stats to consider – December is the time of year when most electrical fires usually occur. – Almost all electrical fires begin in the bedroom. – During winter, deaths due to electrical fires are much higher. This is usually due to the increased amount of indoor activities, increased lighting usage, heating, and appliance use. – In urban areas, faulty wiring is the cause of over 33% of home electrical fires. – The home appliances most involved in house electrical fires are central heating units, electric ovens, dryers, televisions, radios, and stereo equipment. These are some easy steps you can take to help stop electrical fires in the home or business – Carefully Ponder any Do-It-Yourself electrical project. It is usually to have any electrician work done by a journeyman electrician. – NEVER run an extension cord under a area rug! The foot and chair traffic across the carpet will over time slice through the cord, causing an immediate fire hazard. – Small space heaters are the cause of many fires. Keep clothes, curtains, and any combustible material a minimum of three feet away from space heaters at all times. – Always check all lamp cords, extension cords regularly, and look for signs of overheating, frayed insulation, or bent prongs. Always replace all worn or damaged electrical cords right away. – Routinely check all of your appliances, especially where the cord attaches, and look for signs of frayed wiring. – Never let kids play with or near electrical appliances such as space heaters, hair dryers, or irons. – Never force a 3 prong plug into a two prong socket. – Never overload extension cords or electrical outlets. As obvious as this may sound, there are a lot of electrical fires that are started by the overloading of electrical cords and outlets. – If you find a light switch that is warm to the touch, or the lights dim when using the switch, call a journeyman electrician and replace it at once. – Routinely check any electrically powered tools. Make sure you replace any tool that gives off sparks, smoke, or small electrical shocks, or overheats. – Install and regularly check smoke alarms. – Practice a house escape plan in case of fire. By following these easy steps you can make sure your family and your home or business is safe from electrical fires. * U.S. Fire Administration

This article was written by Don Carter for Vozzcom Electric, a licensed

Miami electrical

services company and

Los Angeles Electrician

.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com