NFPA Shares Tips for Avoiding Electrical Fires

An estimated 46,500 home structure fires reported to the U.S. fire departments in 2010 were the result of electrical failures or malfunctions. These fires caused 420 deaths, 1,520 injuries and $1.5 billion in direct property damage, according to the NFPA’s Home Electrical Fires Report. In honor of National Electrical Safety Month, NFPA offers the following electrical safety tips:

• Replace damaged or loose electrical cords. 
• Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets. 
• Make sure your home has tamper-resistant receptacles if there are small children. 
• 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. Use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage. 
• Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters in the kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, basement and outdoor areas. 
• Arc-fault circuit interrupters 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.

For more information on electrical safety, watch a video here.