More than 24% of all fires in the US are caused by electrical failures, demonstrating that electrical fires are a very concerning risk. For the most part, there are around 8,000 types of these fires in the US annually.
It is plausible, nevertheless, to reduce this risk to the furthest extent by being informed of the most general causes of electrical fires and guaranteeing certain safeguards and checks are implemented.
Below, is an outline of the 6 most general causes that lead to electric fires:
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Defective Sockets & Outlets
A lot of electrical fires are produced by defective electrical outlets or older sockets that are not correctly grounded. As time goes by, the wiring at the rear of sockets and outlets wears out, the wires loosen after a while and can in due course break and induce a fire.
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Light Fixtures & Fittings
One other general cause of electrical fires are lamps, light fixtures, and lightbulbs. It’s important to adhere to the wattage regulations for all light fittings and lamps in your home and to never go over the suggested amount. When a light bulb that has too high a wattage is used, it could start a fire.
Placing materials like cloth or paper on top of lamp shades could also cause a fire to start because the material could get hot and ignite. Consequently, lamps and lampshades should at no time be covered.
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Extension Cords
When significant numbers of appliances are plugged into extension cords this can create an unreasonable power load on an individual socket which it might not be able to manage.
Where feasible, appliances should always be plugged directly into an outlet or if it’s necessary to use an extension cord, they should be used as a temporary solution.
If there are not enough outlets in your home to fulfill your needs, hire an electrician that can install more outlets for you.
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Portable Heaters
Portable heaters should never be used for a prolonged period or overnights and shouldn’t be placed too close to flammable surfaces such as curtains, bedding, clothing, chairs, couches and rugs because this is one of the most general ways for them to start a fire.
It is suggested to choose a radiator type heater instead of a coil space heater as their coils get significantly hot, meaning they can simply set alight any close by combustible surface.
On the other hand, radiator sorts of heaters spread heat over the whole surface of the appliance and are less of a risk, however, should still be used with caution.
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Out of Date Wiring
The wiring in older houses usually isn’t up to managing the high requirements and amounts of electrical appliances the average US home has now. Typically, breakers are flipped when a circuit is overworked with too much electricity, however, older breaker boxes might have failing connectors that don’t work which could cause the system to overload and ignite.
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Old Or Faulty Appliances
Similar to out-of-date wiring, using old or faulty appliances can be a fire hazard as they might not be up to code when it comes to wattage operation, quality of material and safety guidelines.
Old and frequently used appliances might have a worn cord that can send heat onto combustible surfaces such as floors, curtains and area rugs which can ignite a fire.
The grounding plug also should never be taken out from a cord so that it can be used in a two-pronged electrical outlet.
Conclusion
Electrical fires are all-too-common occurrences in US homes, nevertheless being mindful of the causes of electrical fires can help to protect against them.
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