You may think it could never happen to you, but a house fire could happen at any time. It?s a scary yet frequent occurrence. Many people are unaware of the more common origins of a house fire. Yes, a fire can happen if Uncle Joe leaves the stove on or some other careless accident, but a fire can also ignite due to faulty wiring needing electrical repairs. Stemming from an electric malfunction, an electrical fire can cause great damage to your home. Understanding the facts and figures of electrical fires can help you prevent them.
About 47,700 house fires were reported in 2011. U.S. fire departments estimate that these fires were due to some type of electrical failure or electrical problems. The damage and injuries caused from these fires were great: nearly $1.5 billion in property damage is caused annually by electrical fires. You can check to see if any major outlets or power sources in your home need electrical repairs. Staying up to date on the quality and efficiency of your electrical system can help avoid the damaged caused in a fire.
Poor electrical distribution accounted for approximately 48% of electrical house fires reported between 2007 and 2011. This statistic also accounts for lighting equipment used in the home. Old and outdated lighting in faulty outlets can cause a fire to spark. Many lighting-originated fires happen when the lightbulb?s wattage is greater than the lamp for which it is being used. By checking the wattage, you can easily prevent this simple mistake from happening. If you are uncertain about the set-up or wattage of lighting in your home, it may be a good idea to contact a lighting contractor for professional advice.
Ground fault circuit interrupters are devices that shut off a faulty power circuit. GFCIs can detect when your electrical current is flowing in a direction it shouldn?t be, say if the circuit is interrupted by a person or a foreign object. This will prevent electrocution if a person comes in contact with an electrical current or prevent a fire from happening if the current hits a flammable object. Did you know over 300 electrocutions happen in the home each year? The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that these GFCIs could prevent more than two-thirds of those electrocutions.
It?s important to understand these facts and know when to call a professional electrician. Sure, these solutions seem simple but electrical repairs and electrical wiring are best done by the experts. If you are concerned with the safety of the electrical system in your home, call your local electrician to diagnose these problems and prevent disastrous fires from ever occuring.
