Preventing Electrical Fires

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

Be Fire Smart with Electricity Throughout Your Home

Facts:

There are more then 45,000 home electrical fires each year

About half of these involve lighting equipment or home electrical wiring.

Home electrical deaths peak between midnight and 6am

Peak months for electrical fire deaths are December through March.

Tips to prevent electrical fires in the home:

Appliances

• Always plug major appliances, like refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, directly into a wall outlet

• Never use an extension cord with a major appliance - it can easily overheat and start a fire

• Always plug small appliances directly into a wall outlet

• Unplug mall appliances when you are not using them

• Keep lamps, light fixtures and light bulbs way from anything that can burn

• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture

• Check electrical cords on appliances often.  Replace cracked, damaged and loose electrical cords.  Do not try to repair them.

Outlets

• Do not overload wall outlets

• Insert plugs fully into sockets

• Never force a three prong cord into a two-slot outlet

• Install tamper-resistant electrical outlet if you have young children

Extension Cords, Power Strips and Surge Protectors 

• Replace worn, old or damaged extension cords right away

• Use extension cords for temporary purposes only

• Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug

• Do not overload power strips

• Use power strips that have internal overload protection

Make sure all electrical work in your home is done by a qualified electrician!