Residential
fires caused by electrical defects account for a significant number of total
blazes each year. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, last year home
electrical problems accounted for 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, 2305 injuries and
$868 million in property losses. Many of these fires are preventable.
As
part of National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4-10, Sequachee
Valley Electric Cooperative and Safe Electricity urge consumers to be aware of
electrical hazards, take time this month and make it a regular habit to inspect
all appliances, cords and plugs.
Check
for loose wall receptacles, loose wires or loose lighting fixtures. Listen for
popping or sizzling sounds behind walls. Immediately shut off, then
professionally replace light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that
spark and flicker.
Electrical
plugs and cords usually deteriorate gradually, making damage difficult to
detect. Inspect all appliance cords and plugs for wear at least once a year.
Make sure they are not frayed or cracked, placed under carpets or rugs or
located in high traffic areas. Do not nail or staple them to walls, floors or
other objects.
Overloaded
electrical systems can be a dangerous prelude to fire. Dimming lights when an
appliance goes on, a shrinking TV picture, slow-heating appliances, fuses
blowing or circuits tripping frequently are signals of overloaded circuits.
Overloaded
electrical outlets or circuits that supply power to several outlets are a major
cause of residential fires. Overloaded outlets and circuits carry too much
electricity, which generates heat in undetectable amounts. The heat causes wear
on the internal wiring system and can ignite a fire.
To
prevent overloading, SVEC and Safe Electricity recommend the following:
•
Avoid using extension cords on a permanent basis and never plug more than two
home appliances into an outlet at once.
• Use only outlets designed to handle multiple plugs.
Each outlet or circuit should not exceed 1500 watts, so give special
consideration to appliances that use 1,000 or more such as refrigerators, hot
plates, irons, microwave ovens, dishwashers, heaters and air conditioners.
• Avoid plugging large appliances into the same outlet
or circuit. If a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows frequently, immediately
cut down on the number of appliances on that line.