Electrical issues are among the leading causes of fires in the United States. They kill hundreds each year and cause billions in property damage. This, however, doesn’t not mean that everyone who lives in a home with electricity is equally at risk. There are some common causes of these types of fires that everyone should be on the look out for here. Here are some of the most prominent causes:
Old or Faulty Wiring
We tend to use more electronic devices than we did 20 years ago. We have more computers, televisions, cell phones to charge, air fryers, air conditioners and more, all of which put more of a strain on your home’s electrical wiring. If it’s more than a couple decades old, chances are it wasn’t designed to take on as many responsibilities you’re giving it. If given too much of a power load, old wiring will overheat and can start a fire.
Space Heaters
This is not an issue during the current sweltering summer days, but we’re never too far away from the frigid days of winter. Space heaters can be an effective and efficient way to warm up on the coldest of days. But it’s important to be careful when you use it. Placing it near curtains, beds, rugs, couches and other flammable materials has been known to lead to fires.
Misuse of Plugs
If you notice that an appliance has a three-prong plug, that means it’s only meant to be used in outlets that are designed to handle that type of capacity. Cutting off the third prong to make it fit a two-prong outlet may be convenient, but it’s also dangerous. Overloading an outlet can be a quick way to start a fire.
Failing Appliances
When appliances become worn out and no longer function as they should, they will require more power to work, which can become dangerous for your home’s wiring. There’s an additional risk with frayed cords, which also carry the risk of fire.
There are obviously steps you can take to mitigate these risks. But if all else fails, the last line of defense against a fire if your home is a residential sprinkler system. Fire Tech Residential Sprinklers LLC will help you invest in the safety of your home. We can install and inspect your sprinkler system to ensure that it’s working as intended. Contact us today for a fast and free estimate.
It’s great that you pointed out how old wiring would overheat and could start a fire if given too much of a power load. We are currently in the process of building our new house and we just remembered about fire safety. Fire safety is essential for the house so we should probably contact fire sprinkler installation service to help us out.