Electrical Fires: Know the Causes and Cures

A family of four, gathered on a cozy couch to enjoy a favorite television show, smelled smoke. Alarmed, they scattered to check other rooms for the source. The smoldering fire quickly leapt out of control as they searched. An overloaded extension cord – under the sofa they had just been sitting on – fueled the flames. 

“Electrical fires break out in more than 50,000 U.S. households yearly, resulting in hundreds of deaths, more than 1,000 injuries and more than $1 billion in property damage,” says Brian Rigsby, President, Paul Davis Restoration of The Tri State Area – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. “Prevention is key. It’s very effective, too, once you know the most common causes – and cures – of electrical fires in the home.”

Cause: Overloaded extension cords or circuits. Electrical wires, extension cords and circuits are designed to handle certain amounts of electrical current. If they are asked to carry more, they can quickly heat up and spark flames. 

Cure: Upgrade wiring if more capacity is needed and never overload extension cords.

Cause: Antiquated, degraded or incorrect wiring. If your home is older, wiring may no longer meet modern electrical codes. Circuits may even lack grounding, which is critical to electrical safety. Additionally, wiring may become degraded or damaged over time from pest activity (gnawing), house settling and age (plugs are loose in old electrical outlets, for instance). 

Cure: Ask a qualified electrician to review your home’s circuitry and upgrade it where needed.

Cause: Overheating electrical devices or equipment. Space heaters are notorious for sparking devastating home fires, as are dryer vents stuffed with flammable lint. 

Cure: Maintain, operate and clean electrical equipment as directed by the manufacturers, following all applicable guidelines on precautions, placement and operating clearances. Unplug equipment when not in use and ensure circuits are equipped to handle the heavy electrical loads these devices draw. Service equipment promptly if malfunctions occur.

“Another important way to protect your home is to ensure that any electrical device – lights, extension cords, anything that conveys or uses electricity – is certified by a regulatory body such as Underwriters Laboratory,” Rigsby says. “Some insurance carriers will refuse claims for fires caused by non-certified devices.”

Concerned about electrical fire prevention at your home? Call Paul Davis Restoration at 888-473-7669.