Did you know?

Almost three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (41%) or no working smoke alarms (16%). In fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, two of every five (41%) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries. Dead batteries caused one-quarter (26%) of the smoke alarm failures.    

December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom. 

The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and record players. 

    Most electrical fires result from problems with “fixed wiring” such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires.
 

In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires.
 

Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas. 

If you are unsure of the electrical safety in your home, contact a professionally licensed electrician immediately!

Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring and keep a fire extinguisher in the home.

Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately. 

Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, 

then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to “child-proof” electrical outlets. 

If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord. 

Routinely check that smoke alarms are up to code and have full batteries. Changing the batteries out once a year will prevent the smoke alarm from failure. 

    When buying electrical appliances look for products which meet the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) standard for safety. 

Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks. 

Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen. 

    Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers. Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.