Electrical Fire Safety Tips

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), around 300 Americans die each year due to electrical fires and around 1,500 people get seriously injured. While it is impossible to predict when accidents can happen and when certain defects can lead to injuries, it is also true that certain incidents can be avoided if the correct preventive measures are undertaken on a regular basis. With a little bit of attention to detail and by adhering to precautionary measures, a lot of avoidable and unnecessary accidents can be avoided.

It is also said that the month of December is when the most accidents caused by electrical fires occur. This can be attributed to two causes. Firstly, many more people are at home at this time due to the holiday season so a greater number of home appliances and electrical outlets are used. Secondly, almost all households put up Christmas lights at this time, thus leading to a greater chance of some unsavory incident occurring.

Electrical fire causes are conventionally linked to fixed wiring lines that have become old or are misused or overused. Lamps and light fixtures also end up causing many accidents. Running the cords over unstable and inflammable materials, not following regular maintenance, overloading of circuits and a defect in cords and appliances can also lead to an electrical fire.

Safety Tips for Electrical Fires

1. Ensure that all old wires and cords are replaced from time to time. If these cords are frayed or damaged, they will almost certainly lead to an accident at some point in the future.
2. Ensure that appliances and wires are kept away from wet floors and wet surfaces. This needs to be followed even more stringently if an appliance is being used in the bathroom or in the kitchen.
3. Ensure that items which generate a lot of heat are placed at least a few feet away from clothes made of inflammable materials, curtains and other such items.
4. Never ever force a plug into an outlet that does not allow it to be placed inside it. This will most certainly lead to a short circuit which could inadvertently result in an electrical fire.
5. Never overload extension outlets and power outlets with too many appliances. This may also lead to a short circuit of the components inside.
6. If you have small children in your house, ensure that they are kept away from electrical outlets and appliances. There are several ways of child proofing a home that you should be aware of if you are a new parent. Ensuring fire safety for kids is definitely one of your first and foremost responsibilities.
7. If certain appliances are not working properly, or are flickering, or are producing a shock when you touch them, replace them immediately. Do not turn them on until they are replaced, and this applies for light bulbs and lamps too.
8. Always ensure that you buy products that are of the highest quality. They may be expensive but this is worth the price. The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification is what you should be looking for in electrical appliances.
9. Make an escape plan with your family and ensure that everyone knows what they are supposed to do in case a fire breaks out. This may seem ridiculous at first, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
10. If possible, get a smoke alarm in your home so that you will know as soon as a fire breaks out. Many injuries are caused because people do not come to know that a fire has broken out in their home.
11. Carry out a routine check of your appliances and wiring from time to time, so as to ensure that everything is fine and there is no scope for any problems to arise due to negligence and ignorance.
12. Remember that throwing water on an electrical fire will only cause it to increase, and not put it out. This occurs due to water's conductive nature. Using an electrical fire extinguisher will be far more useful.
13. If a power outlet is near a swimming pool or in a bathroom or any other dangerous place, install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) on it. This will prevent short circuits if water comes into contact with the outlet.
14. Always follow the exact instructions of appliances, and do not try to be a mechanical genius and change the components and the electrical composition of the device.
15. If someone is experiencing an electrical shock, do not touch them. Doing so will cause the shock and the electrical charge to enter your body as well.
16. If the situation is getting out of hand, call 911 and ask for assistance immediately.

All of these tips are very easy to follow, and they involve being responsible and careful. It is your duty to ensure that your home and your family are protected from these mishaps, so it is absolutely necessary for you to take these points seriously. Needless to say, this is something that you should realize before it is too late.