04/13/2023
6 MOST COMMON CAUSES OF ELECTRIC FIRES
1. FAULTY SOCKETS & OUTLETS
Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets or worn out sockets that aren’t properly grounded. With age, the wiring behind sockets and outlets wears, the wires loosen over time and can eventually break and cause a fire.
2. LIGHT FIXTURES & FITTINGS
Another common cause of electrical fires are lamps, lightbulbs and light fittings. It’s important to follow the wattage guidelines for all light fixtures and lamps in your home and to never exceed the recommended amount. If a light bulb with too high a wattage is used a fire can start.
3. EXTENSION CORDS
When large numbers of appliances are plugged into extension cords this can create an excessive power load on a single socket which it may not be able to handle.
4. PORTABLE HEATERS
Portable heaters should never be used for an extended period of time or overnight and shouldn’t be placed too close to combustible surfaces like curtains, beds, clothing, chairs, sofas and rugs as this is one of the most common ways for them to start a fire.
5. OUTDATED WIRING
Wiring in older homes often isn’t up to handling the increased demands and numbers of electrical appliances the average US home now has. Usually, breakers are triggered when a circuit is overloaded with too much electricity, but old breaker boxes may have worn connectors that don’t work which can cause the system to overload and catch fire.
6. OLD OR FAULTY APPLIANCES
Similar to outdated wiring, using old or dated appliances can be a fire hazard as they may not be up to standard when it comes to wattage usage, material quality and safety regulations.
CONCLUSION
Electrical fires are an all too common occurrence in US homes, however being aware of the causes of electrical fires can help to safeguard against them.