Electrical fires continue to be leading cause of home fires

NFPA urges public awareness of electrical safety

News releases By: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Electrical fires continue to be a leading cause of home fires, according to a new report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Released during National Electrical Safety Month (May), the report is a reminder for the public not to forget about electrical safety and to adhere to safety tips to help reduce the risk of home electrical fires.

“Electricity literally runs modern lifestyles by powering the amenities that so many of us depend on day to day, so fire safety is something to keep in mind whenever electricity is being used,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “There are lots of simple things each of us can do to prevent electrical fires, like keeping lighting fixtures and light bulbs away from things that can burn, and never using extension cords to plug in major appliances.”

According to the report, in 2007, electrical failure or malfunction was a factor contributing to ignition in an estimated 51,800 reported home structure fires. Of the 2003-2007 home electrical fires, 46 percent involved some type of electrical distribution or lighting equipment. Other leading types of equipment involved in the ignition of electrical fires were washers and dryers, fans, air conditioning equipment, space heaters, water heaters, and ranges.

Six percent of 2003-2007 home structure fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment as equipment involved in ignition, making it the fourth major cause of home structure fires, following behind cooking equipment, heating equipment, and intentional.

NFPA offers the following safety tips on electrical safety:

* Work on home electrical distribution or lighting equipment should only be conducted by someone qualified as an electrician.

* When buying, selling, or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a professional electrician.

* Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, including lamp shades, furniture, bedding, curtains, clothing, and flammable or combustible gases and liquids.

* Major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, etc., should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.

* Replace cracked, damaged, and loose electrical cords.

* Extension cords are for temporary use only. Have a licensed electrician determine if additional circuits or outlets are needed.

* Consider having a qualified electrician install arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) in your home. This is a type of circuit breaker that shuts off electricity when a dangerous condition occurs.



To learn more about electrical safety, please visit www.nfpa.org/electricalsafetymonth.

Full report: Home Electrical Fires: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/OS.electrical.pdf

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.


(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Electricity… Friend or Foe

One of the major causes of fatal home fires is electricity . . . short circuits, misuse and abuse of appliances and cords top the list. Most Americans would agree that life would be harder without the use of electricity to heat, cool and light our homes and businesses and to operate our appliances and tools. There are thousands of good uses for electricity, but with the danger of electrical fires ever present, everyone should take precautions and use it wisely.

-- Do not overload electrical outlets. It is safe to plug in only as many appliances as the outlet can take directly. Do not use adapters to plug in more. The current may not be able to handle the load. The wires will heat up, starting a fire.

-- Use only the correct size fuses in the fuse boxes. A 30 amp fuse in place of a 15 amp can start a fire. Never put a penny behind fuses to make them last longer.

-- Keep appliances and extension cords in good condition. Heat, old age and abuse can make cords frayed, worn or split. This causes short circuits and enough heat to start a fire. Damaged cords should be replaced, not repaired, unless by an electrician. Wrapping electrical tape around a cord may not repair it. Do not risk your family and your possessions to save the few dollars it would cost to buy a new cord.

-- Do not run cords under rugs where people walk, over nails or hooks, through doorways or windows. Do not put cord anywhere it might get smashed, cut or split. Once wires are exposed, it is a fire and shock hazard.

-- Keep appliances unplugged when not using. Remove by pulling on the plug, not the cord.

-- Keep hot electrical appliances and light bulbs away from things that can burn. Use only the correct size bulb. Too large a bulb may give off enough heat to start a fire.

-- Feel switch plates and outlets for heat. Contact a licensed electrician if a problem exists.

--Cover electrical outlets with plastic safety caps. Save children from disfiguring mouth burns; keep live extension cords out of their reach.

-- Buy appliances and cords with the UL) Underwriters Laboratory) or FM (Factory Mutual) label indicating they have been tested for safety.

--Leave air space around appliances such as stereos, televisions, microwaves, etc. to keep them cool.

-- Have an electrician rewire your home if it does not have sufficient outlets. The cost you spend will not be near what an electrical fire in your home would cost in money and lives.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)