An electrical fire is extremely dangerous, because it can start in a wall, ceiling or garage and get out of control before you even know it’s there. There are things you can do to prevent electrical fires, and most of them aren’t expensive.
Faulty Electrical Outlets and Switches
If you are buying or moving into a house that is over 20 years old, it’s well worth the money to change out all the electrical outlets and switches before you plug anything in. Outlets are not difficult to replace, inexpensive and can be done a few at a time, replacing the most-used outlets first. Always use 3-prong outlets where a ground wire is available. If you don’t have a grounding device, it is safer to have one installed before turning on the power. Never buy used electrical outlets or switches from garage sales or flea markets, because you don’t know what condition they are in.
Faulty or Damaged Electrical Cords
This is one of the most common causes of electrical fires. Frayed or damaged cords that are in contact with carpet, rugs, draperies or other combustible items can easily cause a spark that will set a fire. Don’t run cords under rugs or carpet, because heat may build up in the cord, causing it to combust.
Outdated Appliances
Old appliances may not have a 3-prong plug that takes advantage of the grounding capability of your wiring. A grounded plug will shut down the power if any electrical anomaly occurs. Also, old appliance cords may no longer be able to handle the load the appliance puts on them, causing them to burn out.
Light Fixtures, Lamps and Light Bulbs
Always use a bulb with a wattage that is appropriate for the fixture it is in. For example, most small lamps, such as bedside lamps, can only use up to a 40-watt bulb. A higher wattage bulb may cause a fire by burning out the wiring or even causing the lampshade to burst into flames. Never place anything such as a rag or paper over a lampshade, because it can heat up and ignite.
Overloaded Extension Cords
Never plug an appliance into an extension cord, always directly into the wall. Extension cords should only be used as temporary measures, not as a way to plug more items into an outlet. If you must use an extension cord, invest in one that has its own Ground Fault Interrupt circuit, so that it will cut power to the main plug if it becomes overloaded. Always unplug everything from an extension cord, or unplug the cord from the wall, when it is not in use.
Outdated House Wiring
Houses over 20 years old are generally due for a rewiring. Older homes can’t handle the load placed on them by all the everyday appliances and gadgets used today. Computers, large televisions and a myriad of small kitchen appliances can put a strain on old wiring and cause it to overheat and catch fire.
Space Heaters
Last, but by all means, not least are the dangers of space heaters. Most heater fires are caused by placing the heater too close to combustible materials. Newer space heaters have automatic shutoff features if the unit should overheat or fall over, but there are still many unsafe heaters around. If you need a space heater, the safest type is the radiator heaters, because they disperse their heat over a large surface.
While you’re checking out the electrical system in your house, don’t forget the breakers. Old, outdated breakers may not shut down the power during a circuit overload and can easily cause a fire or catch on fire themselves. The money you spend making your home safer is much less than you would spend replacing it, and you can’t replace a lost life.
Do you know what Multifunction Testers are? Barry Atkins does. He writes for PAT Services, a UK-based company that sells specialty electrical safety and testing equipment. You can also find Barry on Google+.
