While electricity is essential for your home to function properly, it also poses serious fire risks if your electrical system malfunctions. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 34,000 electrical fires in homes every year, resulting in $1.3 billion in property damage and approximately 440 fatalities.
Just about any home can develop an electrical fire, but the risk is significantly higher for homes that were built prior to 1950 due to the difference in electrical wiring standards that existed. Many of these older homes were only wired to handle 30 amps of power, while modern devices typically require 100-200 amps of power to run your home. This increased demand can place a great deal of strain on the electrical system of a very old home that is inadequately prepared to handle our modern power needs.
The good news is that many of these electrical fires can easily be prevented if you take the right safety precautions at your home. By understanding the most common causes and warning signs of electrical fires, as well as a few basic safety tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home.
Common Causes of Electrical Fires in Homes
The most common causes of electrical fires in homes include:
- Defective or Faulty Plugs, Switches and Outlets – Worn-out or frayed cords and loose or damaged outlets can generate excessive heat and ignite fires.
- Aging Appliances – Old, outdated appliances can malfunction and overheat, causing an electrical fire.
- Outdated Wiring and Electrical Systems – Older homes may have wiring that can’t handle the demands of modern appliances, leading to overheating and potential fires.
- Overloaded Circuits and Outlets – Connecting too many devices to a single outlet or circuit can exceed its capacity, causing overheating and fires.
- Improper Use of Extension Cords – Using extension cords as a permanent solution or overloading them can lead to overheating and fires.
- Incorrectly Installed Wiring – When electrical wiring isn’t installed properly, it can cause your system to overload, triggering a fire.
- Faulty Lighting Fixtures – Using faulty fixtures or bulbs with the incorrect wattage can result in overheating and fires.
Warning Signs of Potential Electrical Problems
One of the best ways to prevent electrical fires is to know how to recognize the warning signs that you have a problem with the wiring or electrical system in your home. It’s critical to call an experienced electrician at once if you develop any of the following issues:
- Outlets or switches that are hot to the touch and/or emit a foul odor
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Frequent blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers
- Discolored outlets, cords and switch plates
Tips for Preventing Electrical Fires by Electric Outlets
Electric currents that flow through outlets and switches generate heat. If this heat becomes excessive or is allowed to be generated uncontrollably, it may start a fire. The following safety tips will help you prevent electrical fires caused by outlets
Cover Outlets
Always cover unused outlets with caps to prevent dust from entering the outlet and to avoid unnecessary contact with conductive materials.
Don’t Overload Outlets
There’s a limit on how much power each outlet in your home can handle. Overloading the outlet can result in too much power being sent to it, and this may cause a fire. If you need to plug multiple items into one outlet, use a surge protector. If your home entertainment system is running numerous electrical devices, consider having an electrician install extra sockets in the area to spread out the electrical power more evenly and prevent overloading one outlet.
Avoid Extension Cords
Extension cords may be helpful when trying to run numerous devices, but they can potentially overload the outlet or overheat and cause a fire when they’re used with appliances they’re not properly rated for. If you need to use extension cords, make sure they’re properly rated for the amount of power you’re running through them.
Limit the Use of Space Heaters
Prolonged use of space heaters is one of the most common causes of electrical fires in homes. You can reduce this risk by only using space heaters when you’re in the room. In addition, running a space heater at half power will keep the room just as warm and comfortable as at full power, but you’re much less likely to overload the circuit.
Use GFCI Outlets
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets can protect your home from electrical ground faults and overheating that can cause fires. These outlets can be installed by an electrician. You can also add GFCI into circuit breakers and portable devices for additional protection.
Make Sure Plugs Fit Snugly in Outlets
Loose plugs can generate excess heat and cause fires.
Tips for Preventing Electrical Fires by Appliances
We rely on appliances for a fully functional home, but they can also potentially lead to electrical fires when they’re not properly maintained. The following safety tips will help you prevent electrical fires from appliances.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Make sure you stay current on all necessary maintenance of your appliances. In addition, dusting behind appliances, cleaning out lint filters in dryers and checking your refrigerator coil to make sure it’s clean are all easy ways to reduce your risk of fires.
Unplug Appliances That Aren’t in Use
There are certain appliances that aren’t practical to unplug, such as your refrigerator or your washer/dryer. However, many smaller appliances can and should be unplugged when not in use. These include toasters, space heaters, electric blankets and small kitchen or bathroom appliances. Not only will you prevent fires, but you’ll save money on your electric bills.
Minimize the Number of Appliances in Use at Once
It’s common to use a variety of appliances when cooking such as instant pots, toasters, blenders and food processors. Always be conscious of how many appliances you’re running at once and where they’re plugged in. You can easily overload a kitchen outlet if you run too many appliances at once, and this can cause a fire.
Replace Older Appliances
Appliances are expensive, and it’s understandable that you want to maximize their lifespan. But when appliances get old, there’s a greater chance they’ll malfunction and start an electrical fire. Replace any appliance if you see frayed electrical cords, sparks when you turn it on, or excessive heat coming from the device.
Tips for Preventing Electrical Fires by Power Strips and Cords
Faulty cords and improper use of power strips can also cause electrical fires. The following safety tips will help you reduce this risk.
Replace Damaged Cords and Plugs
Damaged, frayed or ripped cords should be replaced at once. Plugs that feel hot to the touch are a sign that they’re worn out or damaged, making them more likely to spark or overheat. Replacing these damaged plugs (when possible) will help prevent fires. If you can’t replace a damaged plug, you may need to replace the entire device.
Position Power Strips and Cords Strategically
Placing cords and power strips in the proper location is an important step you can take to prevent fires. While hiding cords under a rug or a large power strip behind a piece of furniture will create a less cluttered appearance, it can also cause these cords and strips to overheat, resulting in a fire.
Whenever possible, keep power strips and cords away from water and heat sources to provide additional protection against fires.
Be on the Lookout for Flickering and Sparks
Flickering lights, strange buzzing noises from an outlet, or sparks coming from outlets and cords can be a sign of an electrical issue. If you see any of these signs, stop using the light, outlet or cord right away, and call an electrician to fix the problem.
Schedule Regular Electrical Inspections
Over time, the electrical wiring in your home may wear out or become damaged. Conducting electrical inspections on a regular basis will help you identify any issues in their earliest stages so they can be addressed before they cause a fire.
JRCC Damage Restoration Experts Can Help After an Electrical Fire
Electrical fires can cause significant damage to your home. Smoke and soot can travel throughout the home, leaving behind foul odors and sticky residues. If the fire isn’t contained quickly, you may also experience significant damage to the structural elements of your home, requiring extensive repairs and reconstruction. In addition, it’s common to develop water damage from the large quantities of water used by firefighters in putting out the fire.
Dealing with this damage to your home can be overwhelming, but the good news is you don’t have to handle it alone. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts is here to help. At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we’ve been the leading fire damage restoration company in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area since 1954. We offer 24/7 emergency fire damage restoration services, and our licensed technicians will arrive shortly after receiving your call ready to begin work.
At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we’ve witnessed firsthand the damage caused by electrical fires, and our team will work quickly and efficiently to minimize the disruption to your life. Our team provides comprehensive fire damage restoration services and can address every aspect of the process, from initial assessment through all reconstruction work. We’ll also coordinate with your insurance company to facilitate a smoother claims process that ensures you receive the full benefits to which you’re entitled. When you work with JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, you’ll have peace of mind that the fire damage restoration process is being handled correctly.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts serves customers in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area.