The Home Electrical Fires report estimates that an electrical failure or malfunction have resulted in 455 civilian deaths, 1,500 civilian injuries and $1.5 billion in direct property damage every year from 2007-2011.
“Electrical fires are a risk that homeowners should bear in mind when reviewing fire dangers,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “By taking early action to eliminate electrical hazards in your household and following safety guidelines, the chances of having a home electrical fire can be significantly reduced.”
NFPA reminds us that any type of equipment that uses electrical power can have an electrical failure or malfunction and offers the following electrical safety tips for reducing the risk of home electrical fires:
- Replace damaged or loose electrical cords.
- Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
- In homes with small children, make sure your home has tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles.
- Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
- Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
- If outlets or switches feel warm, frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuits, or flickering or dimming lights, call a qualified electrician.
- Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage.
- Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas.
- Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) should be installed in your home to protect electrical outlets.
- When you are buying, selling, or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a qualified electrician.
