Every year home electrical problems cause more than 28,000 house fires and massive property damage. Electrical wiring is the root cause of many of these fires, of which countless could have been prevented. Electrical safety is a key home safety component that is often overlooked but is an an essential element of any home safety plan. Proper education, awareness and action can go a long way in preventing tragedy.
Faulty or fixed wiring or improper use of electrical cords and other electrical items cause most home fires. Take a few minutes to review these key electrical safety tips to prevent a home electrical fire.
• Pay Attention: Flickering lights, buzzing noises, and face plates that are warm to the touch are all signs that a circuit may be overloaded or wiring may be wearing thin. Each one of those signs is cause for immediate attention from a licensed professional electrician.
• Listen to Your Circuit Breaker: If you are continually tripping a switch and having to reset your breaker box, your house is trying to tell you something. There may be a fixture with faulty wiring or too high an electrical load on the breaker. Again, seek professional help.
• Review and Replace: Frayed electrical cords, wobbly ceiling fans, and loose face plates are more than mere annoyances, they can become a safety issue. You should routinely inspect your home and replace or repair items in need of attention.
• Safety First: Even the best preparation and newest equipment is not a guaranteed protection against fire. Working smoke detectors on all levels of your home is an absolute must. Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher and you know the proper way to use it.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors Electrical Safety Month each May. More information and safety tips, including a home safety calendar, can be found at www.esfi.org.
