What are the causes of electrical fires? What you should know
How do electrical fires start? Here are some of the main causes of electrical fires:
Outdated or worn electrical wiring
How old is your home? In homes built more than 20 years ago, the wiring is most likely outdated. Unfortunately, outdated wiring is one of the leading causes of home fires. Unable to meet the demands of modern technology and energy consumption, you may notice frequent, power outages or other signs of poor wiring.
Fire prevention strategy: hire a qualified electrician to inspect your home and replace old or damaged wiring.
Defective electrical outlets
Did you know that most electrical fires start in electrical outlets? Outlets that are not grounded are more likely to spark, arc, or catch fire. Even grounded outlets can start a fire if the wiring behind them becomes loose.
Fire prevention strategy: check outlets regularly. Look for signs of wear, including soot around the outlets or switches. If wires are loose, tighten them to reduce the risk of fire. Contact a professional electrician if you need to upgrade outlets or have serious electrical repairs done.
Circuit overloading
Avoid using a single extension cord to power multiple appliances and electronic devices at once. Overloading the circuit will wear out the system and can lead to a fire.
Fire Prevention Strategy: Instead of relying on extension cords, use multiple outlets and make sure your appliances have their own circuit. If you don’t have enough outlets or circuits in your home, hire an electrician to install more.
Old appliances
Older appliances don’t meet modern standards in terms of materials, construction and safety regulations. Also, outdated appliances are more likely to have frayed cords or loose wiring.
Any appliances that make strange noises or emit a burning smell should be inspected by an appliance repair professional. Replace defective appliances with new models that meet current safety standards.
Light fixtures
Not all light bulbs will work with every light fixture. Inserting a high wattage bulb into an incompatible lamp is one of the most common causes of electrical fires. Covering the lamp with a temporary fabric lampshade can also cause a fire.
Fire prevention strategy: check the wattage before installing new bulbs. If a light becomes too hot during operation, it’s time to replace it. Use only commercially available lamp shades that are appropriate for the shape and size of your fixture.
Portable heaters
These devices heat up quickly and can ignite combustible materials almost instantly. Placing a portable space heater too close to curtains, bedding or upholstered furniture can cause a fire.
Fire prevention strategy: store portable heaters on flat, fire-safe surfaces and keep them away from combustible materials. Never leave a fan heater unattended and always unplug it when not in use.
Sometimes it’s better to call professionals to handle electrical malfunctions. Call the Emergency Electrician in Leicester. We are 24 hours available.