What Causes Electrical Fires?

Did you know that electrical fires account for about 51,000 residential fires each year? Prevent electrical fires by learning the risks and causes of electrical fires is the best way to protect your family.

The Most Common Causes of Electrical Fires

Usually, electrical fires start due to excessive heat or a single spark. Here is some reason that causes of electrical fires:

Outdated or Worn-Out Electrical Wiring

Houses that are more than 20 years old are most likely have antiquated wiring. Unfortunately, the rising number of electrical fire is caused due to outdated wiring. Outdated wiring system does not have the capacity to meet the demands of modern technology and energy consumption, which is also the reason for frequent circuit breaker overloads, power outages, or other signs of bad wiring.Fire Prevention Strategy: Hire a qualified electrician to inspect your home and replace any old or damaged wiring.

Faulty Electrical Outlets

Outlets are common places where an electrical fire can start. Ungrounded outlets are more likely to spark, form an electrical arc, or catch on fire. Even grounded outlets can start a fire if the wiring behind them loosens. GFCI outlets can help prevent fires by tripping the circuit in the event of a short.Fire Prevention Strategy: Inspect outlets on a regular basis. Inspect for signs of worn-out, including soot around the sockets or switches. Tightening loose wires can also reduce the chances of a fire. Call a professional electrician for outlet upgrades or serious electrical repairs.

Electrical Circuit Overloads

Avoid plugging too many cords into a single power. Never use a single extension cord to power multiple appliances and electronics at once since overloading the circuit will wear out the system and could result in a fire.Fire Prevention Strategy: Do not rely on extension cords especially for the major appliance like refrigerators, try using multiple outlets and ensuring your appliances have a dedicated circuit. If you don’t have enough outlets at your home, hire an electrician to install more.

Old Appliances

That antique toaster may look cool, but it is no longer adaptable or supports modern standards since older appliances are not compatible with modern standards when it comes to materials, construction, and safety regulations. Plus, outdated appliances are more likely to have frayed cords or loose wiring.Fire Prevention Strategy: Incase of strange noises or produce a burning smell while using an appliance call in an appliance repair expert. Inspect appliances for signs of electrical damage. Replace outdated or faulty appliances with new models that follow current safety standards.

Light Fixtures

Not all light bulbs work with every fixture. Never Install a high-wattage bulb in an incompatible lamp is a top cause of electrical fires. Do not cover up the lamp with a makeshift cloth lampshade.Fire Prevention Strategy: Check the wattage before installing new light bulbs. If a light fixture gets too hot when in use, it’s time to replace it. Use only commercial lampshades that are specifically designed to fit the shape and size of your fixture.

Portable Heaters

Space heaters are also a common reason for causing house fires. Portable heaters heat up quickly and can ignite flammable materials. Never place a portable heater too close to curtains, bedding.Fire Prevention Strategy: Store portable heaters on flat, fire-safe surfaces, and keep them away from flammable materials. Never leave a space heater unattended, and always unplug the unit when not in use.

Tips to Protect Your Family from Electrical Fires

One can never be prepared enough for the electrical fire so even if you follow all the safety precautions and rules, it’s not always possible to prevent all electrical fires. If one breaks out, be prepared to protect your family. Here’s how an electrician recommends you stay safe:

• Make sure your electrical system is up to code and safe for use. This may involve upgrading to GFCI outlets, updating an old electrical panel, replacing old wiring, and more
• Never use electronics with frayed, broken, or crimped wires. They may spark and ignite
• Install working smoke detectors throughout your home. Test and replace the batteries frequently
• Invest in a fire extinguisher. Water doesn’t work on electrical fires – and it could make the situation much worse. Choose a fire extinguisher with a Class C or ABC rating

Always stay precautions when it comes to electrical fire because in many cases preventable electrical fire that is neglected ends up ravaging your home. Your nearby Inlightech will identify and diagnose electrical-related problems by performing a professional electrical inspection. Schedule an appointment online or call (08) 6383 8016 to keep your home safe from an electrical fire.We also provide other services such as

• Electrical appliance Installation
• Power Upgrades in Perth
• Hard Wired Smoke and Fire Detector Installation in and around Perth
• Stove Install & Oven Elements
• Emergency lighting works in Perth
• Powerpoint Installs and Repairs
• Cabling Upgrades
• Air conditioning installation in Perth
• Office fit-outs in and around Perth
• Kitchen makeovers Perth
• Down-Lights & LED Lighting Installation & Upgrades
• Safety Inspections
• Switchboard upgrade in Perth
• 24/7 Emergency Electrician
• Outdoor power point installation Perth
• Ceiling Fan Installation
• Range Hood Installation
• Stove, Range and Oven Installation
• Perth Fan Installation
• Dimmer Light Switch Installations
• Exhaust Fans & Extractor Installation
• Electrical Outlet and GPO Installs
• RCD & Safety Switches Installation
• Fuse Box Install, Repair, Upgrades
• Rewiring
• Cheap kitchen renovations Perth
• Electrical fault finding
• LAN, Phone and TV Cable Installs