Electrical fires are many times an afterthought when it comes to fire prevention. After all, the obvious dangers like chimneys, cigarettes and flammable liquids take up the most of our attention. Nonetheless, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has some statistics that just might help you keep the possibility of an electrical fire at the forefront of your mind.
According to the USFA, a typical year will see over 26,000 electrical fires that cause over $1.1 billion in property damages. Over half of these fires involve faulty wiring. As would be expected, December and January, typically the coldest months, see the biggest uptick in electrical fires in the U.S. With the prevalence of space heaters and electrical blankets, this is certainly no surprise. Another leading cause of electrical fire is the misuse of extension cords. Remember, these are not made for permanent use.
Because of this, the USFA has outlined some helpful tips for keeping your home and family safe:
- Make it a routine to check the cords and cables of your appliances.
- Frayed and damaged wires can cause fire. Replace, or discontinue use of these immediately.
- Replace all electrical tools that give off sparks or emit smoke.
- While this may seem obvious, it is very important to keep all electrical appliances away from wet and damp floors.
- Only buy electrical appliances that have been evaluated from a nationally recognized organization.
- Keep all combustible materials at least 3 feet away from heaters.
- Don’t let children play around with electrical appliances like space heaters or hair dryers.
- Child-proof your electrical outlets with plastic safety closures.
- Never overload electrical outlets and electrical sockets.
You and your family can stay safe by abiding by these helpful tips. It is important for you to show your family how to stay safe with electrical appliances. Help them understand proper handling of these appliances.