Common causes of electrical fires in the home
Nobody wants to see their house burn down, whether it’s due to an electrical fire or a fire of any kind. Winter is the time when electrical fires are most likely to occur in homes. Many people use heating appliances and invest in their homes but still plug sockets for Christmas lights. Electrical fires can happen at any time of the year. Electrical fires can happen as long as the problem is not fixed. Most electrical fires are caused by homeowners making mistakes, like overloading extension cords or electrical sockets. Be aware of the following common causes of electrical fires at home.
Faulty Electrical Appliances and Sockets
Faulty sockets and outdated appliances often cause electrical fires. If you use these appliances in your home and assume that they work fine, then there is a high risk of electrical fire. You should not use an appliance that has a damaged cord. It can cause a fire by sending heat to surfaces such as rugs and floors. Avoid removing the grounding connector from the cord and using it in a socket, as this can cause a blaze. Extra prongs are used to deal with the additional power drawn by appliances. To avoid electrical fires, have a licensed St Louis electrician come and fix any faulty sockets.
Outdated Wiring
It is possible that a home older than 20 years may not have the right wiring system in place to accommodate the electrical appliances used by most households today. TVs, computers, and kitchen appliances are all power-hungry and used every day. Circuit breakers are supposed to activate when circuits become overloaded. When you have an old breaker box, the connectors are usually worn out and do not function. When the system overloads, it can quickly cause an electrical fire.
Light Fixtures and Fittings
Light bulbs, light fixtures, and lamps are also a common cause of electrical fires. Installing a high-wattage lamp in your home’s light fixtures or lamps can cause an electrical fire. Check the recommended maximum wattage on the light fixture to prevent an electrical fire. A cloth is another mistake people make. The material will also ignite when heated up.
Portable Heaters
Portable heaters can be a great option for staying warm in the winter months. People use these heaters to heat surfaces like beds, curtains, and sofas. Coil heaters, in particular, are dangerous because they contain coils that can ignite flammable surfaces. If you are using portable heaters to heat your home, choose the ones with radiators. They will diffuse the heat evenly across the surface of the appliance. It is less likely that they will ignite things, but you should still keep them away.
Extension Leads
Extension leads can be used, but only for a short time. For long periods of time, plug appliances directly into outlets and not extension leads. Extension cords can be used temporarily. Contact an electrician if you do not have the appropriate plug sockets in your home. They are a safer option.
These are the top causes of electrical fires at home. Please educate yourself and your family about the above list. You will protect your home against any fire risk. To prevent a fire, ask a professional to check the wiring or any appliance problems you may have. Your local fire and rescue service can also assist in conducting an assessment of the fire risk in your home.
