The Dangers of Residential Electrical Fires and Steps to Avoid Them

The ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) highly recommends having an electrical inspection to diagnose potential hazards if a home is 40 years or older.

Although homeowners are vigilant with candles and other open flames, there is always the fear of electrical fires. In 2021, an estimated 353,500 residential fires in the U.S. caused approximately 8.8 billion dollars in damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Electrical malfunction was the cause of 24,200 fires, or about 7% of the fires.

The good news is that these types of incidents are preventable as long as homeowners stay on top of maintaining the electrical safety precautions in their homes. Following are a few recommendations homeowners can employ for their safety.

Get an electrical inspection

The ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) highly recommends having an electrical inspection to diagnose potential hazards if a home is 40 years or older. Certified electricians will undoubtedly have an eye for faulty wiring or fire hazards the homeowners hadn’t noticed. It is also wise to have an inspection performed when installing new appliances since sometimes the new wiring is incompatible with the old.

Overburdened electrical outlet

Homeowners who notice that the outlets in their homes are host to far too many plugs should streamline their outlets. Power strips equipped with internal overload protection are also recommended. They will automatically shut off as soon as it becomes overloaded.

Keep a wide breadth for flammable materials

Electrical appliances can start fires if they make contact with flammable materials. Keep extension cords, hair dryers, and even lamps away from flammable materials like blankets, towels, rugs, and curtains.

Fix shortage problems

Shortages and severely damaged cords are jobs for residential electric contractors—the professionals will be able to repair the damage and assess any additional electrical problems. Electrical wiring can quickly spark and begin a fire if not properly contained.

If a homeowner is concerned that it may be time to call an electrician, now is the time. Electrical fires cause significant damage yearly, and no homeowner wants to be part of that statistic. Contact a residential electric contractor to resolve problems with regular inspections.