Electrical Fire Safety and Prevention

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “an ‘electrical fire’ is a fire involving some type of electrical failure or malfunction.  Any equipment powered by electricity can have such a failure.”  In addition, in 2011 an estimated 47,700 home structure fires ad 16,400 non-home structure fires “reported to U.S. fire departments involved some type of electrical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition.”¹

Based on these startling statistics on electrical fires both in homes and in non-residential buildings, it is clear that understanding how to prevent electrical fires is important.

Following are some tips to reduce the risk of electrical fires:

1.  When possible, choose florescent lights over both halogen lights and incandescent lights.  This is because the risk of fire is higher for incandescent and even higher for halogen.²

2.  Pay attention to your light switches and outlets.  The Electrical Safety Foundation International notes if you notice some that heat up, have brown stains or make buzzing sounds, this could mean that the wiring is unsafe and needs to be checked out by a professional electrician. See the following video by the Electrical Safety Foundation International for more information:

3.  FEMA has another tip for preventing electrical fires.  Never use an extension cord with appliances.  Instead, plug them directly into the wall.  Click the video to see more:

4.  Did you know that your lamps and light sockets list a maximum wattage that is safe for that appliance?  To prevent electrical fire, FEMA points out that it is important to match the recommended wattage and not exceed it.

5.  Don’t over load your electrical outlets.  According to Tipmont REMC, you should “never plug more than two appliances into an outlet at once or “piggyback” extra appliances on extension cords or wall outlets. Use only outlets designed to handle multiple plugs.”³

6.  Finally, make sure you have a professional fire detection and alarm system installed in your home or business.  This system will detect and warn you as soon as possible that a fire has ignited.

At Best Security Products, we can help you with all commercial and home fire security and safety needs. Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

^{1 http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-and-statistics/fire-causes/electrical
2 ibid.
3 http://www.tipmont.org/community/safety/dont-overload-your-homes-outlets}