   
 
Electric currents carried by wiring, switches, plugs and appliances
generate heat. Excessive or uncontrolled heat can start fires. Electrical
fires cause about $674 million in property damage per year. The threat is particularly great in homes built prior to
the 1950s when the electrical wiring didn't always meet today's
safety standards. The wiring systems in older homes may not be keeping up
with the ever-increasing demands place on them.
You need to understand — and respect — the power of electricity
and the role it can play in home fires. The chief culprits in most
electrical fires are:
- Incorrectly installed wiring.
- Overloaded circuits and extension cords.
- Improper plugs, switches and outlets.
- Misuse and poor maintenance of lighting.
Warning Signs
Keep Home Wiring Systems Safe
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Cords, Outlets and Plugs
Lighting
The following warning signs may indicate electrical problems that
could cause a fire. If you experience any of these warning signs
in your home, contact a licensed electrician to repair the problem:
- Flickering or dimming lights.
- Switches or outlets that are hot to the touch or emit an acrid
odor.
- Discolored cords, outlets and switchplates.
- Repeated blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
Hire a licensed electrician to:
- Inspect a home and make any needed repairs before you purchase
it.
- Ensure that any electrical modifications meet existing codes.
- Inspect and repair outlets and switches.
- Inspect aluminum wiring in homes built from 1965 to 1973 because
there have been problems with this wiring used in wall sockets,
switches and cable connections.
- Be sure to replace fuses or circuit breakers with ones of the
correct size.
- Have a qualified, licensed electrician repair any problems.
Have Fire Sense by taking these precautions
when using plugs and electrical cords:
- Don't run cords under carpeting, bedding or other combustible
materials, or across doorways or frequently traveled areas.
- Discard frayed or broken cords and never splice two cords together.
- Don't overload outlets or use extension cords in place of outlets
because these unsafe methods create too much heat and can easily
cause fires. Call an electrician to install additional outlets
as necessary.
- Be sure plugs fit snugly in outlets to prevent shock and excess
heat.
Combustible materials can ignite easily when they are exposed to
hot bulbs. Keep the following tips in mind when using light fixtures:
- Purchase lamps and fixtures listed with Underwriters Laboratories
(UL), an independent, not-for-profit safety testing and certification
organization.
- Use the right bulb wattage for all lamps and fixtures.
- Position lamps away from open windows where strong breezes can
blow draperies onto hot light bulbs.
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Electrical
— Live Wire Fire Risks
