How to Prevent Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are no joke. They can take you by surprise and completely destroy your home. But they are preventable. We’ve compiled seven ways to protect your home from electrical fires and keep your family safe.

1. Plugs and Plates

One of the easiest things you can do to prevent electrical fires is to check your plugs and plates. Loose plugs are unstable and unsafe. Uncovered plugs are also a safety concern. This is especially true if you have young children or pets. Prevent this by using plastic plug covers on unused plugs. The other problem with plugs is the wall plates. Broken or loose wall plates are just as much of a danger as broken or loose plugs. Always make sure your plugs and plates are in top working condition to prevent chances of electrical fires and shocks.

2. Overloading Plugs and Adapters

Plugging too many things into plugs and adapters requires too much of the electrical system. Whether you’re using an extension cord, adapter, or just have several plugs in use, this overload is a major cause of electrical fires. You can prevent this by using extension cords as temporary solutions, unplugging appliances when they’re not being used, and choosing a surge protector for multiple plugs. Surge protectors will power off if they become overloaded, stopping electrical fires from happening.

3. Keep Cords Safe

Keeping cords safe is a key component to stopping electrical fires. It is tempting to hide them under rugs and carpets or staple them to the wall or floor, but these things are major contributors to the chance of electrical fires. If a cord gets too warm, there’s a high chance of it starting a fire. To prevent this, keep plugs loose and away from items that can easily catch fire, like carpets, rugs, and curtains.

4. Check Your Bulbs

Another easy way to prevent electrical fires is by checking your light bulb wattage. Light bulbs should either match or be less than the wattage stated on the appliance. A 20-watt lamp can have a 15-watt bulb, but a 25-watt bulb will put the lamp at risk of causing a fire. Checking your bulbs for this and making sure they are screwed in securely are easy measures to take to prevent fires and electrical failures.

5. Take Care with Portable Heaters

One of the most common causes of electrical fires is portable heaters. Coil heaters are especially dangerous because they get so hot in one central spot that they are quick to ignite nearby flammable sources. Radiator heaters are better because they have a more even distribution of heat. Placing them in a safe spot is also important. Keep them away from blankets, curtains, and other highly combustible materials.

6. Replace Old Appliances

Old appliances are not only more likely to get frayed or damaged cords, they are also made with outdated materials. Many times, the insulation used is actually highly flammable. They also may not be up to modern standards for wattage and safety regulations. While many of these appliances are meant to last you a long time, they are not meant to last a lifetime. An upgrade could potentially save you from a major fire.

7. Schedule an Electrical Safety Consultation

Scheduling a consultation of this sort is kind of like an audit of your home electrical system. An electrician will make sure to point out and/or fix potentially dangerous cords, wires, outlets, and appliances. They will also check the fuse box to ensure it can handle the power coming out of your home. There are many things you can do to prevent fires, but in the end, an electrician will know all the different ways to keep your home safe from electrical fires.

Accidents happen, but you can always do something to prevent the worst from happening. These are just a few ways to prevent electrical fires. To find out more, call your local electrical pros at Revolution Electric and schedule your consultation today. You won’t be sorry!