Electricity causes more than half of accidental fires in the world every year. They’re usually caused by electrical products, either misused or faulty. Cooking appliances and white goods are the main cause of electrical fires in the kitchen. We’ve put together some tips to help you keep your family and home safe from electrical fires. These are a particular threat to old homes built before the 1950s when electrical wiring standards weren’t as strict as they are now. However, even newer homes can get an electrical fire.
Older homes were built to handle 30 amps of power, but most newer ones need 100 to 200 amps. There’s a lot of strain on a home’s wiring and electrical system when this happens.
Preventing an electrical fire in your home, residential or commercial starts with knowing the causes, warning signs, and safety precautions. Electrical fires are usually caused by:
· Incorrectly installed wiring
· Overloaded circuits and extension cords
· Defective or improper plugs, switches, and outlets
· Misuse and poor maintenance of lighting
Signs of a faulty electrical system or wiring
Be aware of the warning signs that indicate a possible wiring or electrical problem to prevent an electrical fire. You should contact a licensed electrician immediately if you experience any of the following problems in your home:
· Dimming or flickering lights
· Outlets or switches that are hot to touch or smell acrid
· Discolored cords, outlets, switch plates
· Frequently blown fuses and circuit breakers
Stay safe with your home wiring
It’s a good idea for every home owner to know at least one licensed electrician. A licensed electrician can help you with:
· Make sure any electrical modifications meet the codes
· Check and fix outlets and switches
· Before you move in, inspect the house, and make any repairs you need
· Replace old fuses and circuit breakers and teach you how to use them.
The sockets, switches, and cable connections installed during this era are prone to failure because aluminum wiring oxidizes and degrades faster than copper wiring. If rewiring isn’t an option, copper connector “pigtails” can mitigate aluminum wiring’s dangers.
The Dangers of DIY
Electric current can move away from its path when a wire is punctured, but not completely severed. This can cause a lot of heat. It’s called an arc fault. Arc faults cause heat, which can eventually cause a fire that spreads to a nearby wood and other combustibles, as well as another wiring. When you’re doing home renovations, be careful not to damage any wires.
Install an arc-fault circuit interrupter on your circuit breakers to prevent fires caused by arc faults. An arc fault circuit interrupter shuts off a circuit when it detects irregular current flow to prevent overheating and combustion.
You can prevent arc faults by using a stud finder to find framing studs behind the drywall. If you nail into studs, you won’t damage hidden wiring.
Safety for cords, outlets, and plugs
Wiring, switches, plugs, and appliances generate heat. Uncontrolled heat can start a fire. Take these precautions to prevent electrical fires: Use and store plugs and electrical cords right, and don’t overload them.
· Don’t run cords under carpets, bedding, or other combustible stuff; also, don’t place them across doorways or frequently used areas
· Make sure plugs fit snugly in outlets to prevent shocks.
· Discard frayed or broken cords and don’t splice two cords together.
Make sure you don’t overload outlets or use extension cords instead of outlets. Get an electrician to install more outlets if you need the
Precautions for Lighting Safety
Materials such as drapery, bedding, and upholstered furniture can catch fire when exposed to hot bulbs. Here’s how to keep light bulbs from catching fire:
· Buy lamps and fixtures certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent, non-profit safety testing and certification company.
· Make sure you use the right light bulb wattage.
· Don’t put lamps near open windows where strong breezes might blow drapes over hot bulbs. Additionally, lampshades protect combustible materials from direct contact with a hot bulb.
One of the most dangerous types of combustion is an electrical fire, which spreads quickly and grows out of control. If you follow the information above, you can help reduce your risk of an electrical fire in your residential or commercial buildings.
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