Here are common ways that electrical fires can get started and how you can make sure they never occur.
Electrical fires bring about millions of dollars worth of property damage every year. Hundreds of people have their lives taken in these tragic disasters. It’s safe to say that electrical fires are a serious hazard, and you need to do whatever you can to help avoid these fires. This all starts with understanding the potential causes, which is what we will review today. Here are common ways that electrical fires can get started and how you can make sure they never occur.
Bad Electrical Outlets
In most cases, electrical fires are started by electrical outlets that are a little faulty or because there are worn-out sockets that aren’t grounded as they should be. The older that outlets and switches get, the more worn down their wiring becomes. When strung wires become loose, they could end up breaking, which starts these electrical fires.
Appliances that get worn down are often the catalysts for electrical fires due to how much power they draw, and damaged cords only serve to increase the risk of danger.
For this reason, you should get loose outlets repaired or replaced once you see damage. Sometimes, you can tighten your wire nuts to make your connection better, while in other situations, the whole outlet will need replacing.
Your Electrical Wiring is Worn Down or Outdated
If electrical wiring is old or outdated, it’s easier for electrical fires to happen. Sometimes, the wiring capacity that is needed for all of the appliances in a building is too much for your wires. When you don’t get better wiring, but the needs of your wiring go up, it puts your building at much greater risk.
If you’re not quite certain of whether or not your wiring is getting outdated, check out the following signals that indicate you need new electrical wiring:
- Your circuit breaker overloads often
- You have recurring power outages or lights that flicker
- Your electronic devices feel hot
- You notice a burning smell
- You notice sparks/shocks from your outlets or appliances
If you see that any electrical cords have frayed, they must get replaced as quickly as possible. Get a professional electrician to help you through this process because this can be a fairly technical job, and it has to get done carefully.
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