Tens of thousands of home fires each year involve electrical distribution and lighting equipment, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires result in more than 400 deaths, 1,000 injuries and more than $1.3 billion in property damage annually.
There are steps you can take to help prevent fires by identifying possible safety problems before they occur. Your electric cooperative offers the following checklist to help.
Electrical outlets. Check for loose-fitting plugs and loose wall receptacles. Replace missing or broken wall plates. If you have young children, install tamper-resistant outlets. Avoid overloading outlets with adapters and too many appliances.
Electrical wiring. If an outlet isn’t working, it might indicate unsafe wiring. Have an electrician check it out. Also check for loose wires and lighting fixtures. Listen for popping or sizzling sounds behind walls. If light switches are hot to the touch or lights spark and flicker, immediately shut them off at the circuit breaker and contact a qualified electrician.
Ground-fault circuit interrupters. Make sure GFCIs are installed in your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, workshop, garage and outdoor outlets. GFCIs help protect against electrical shock. Use the test and reset button at least monthly to ensure that they’re working properly.
Arc-fault circuit interrupters. Consider having AFCIs installed in your home. An AFCI installed in a circuit breaker monitors the flow of electricity throughout your home. If the AFCI detects any abnormality, it will shut off the system, preventing a fire.
Plugs. Do not remove the grounding pin (third prong) to make a plug fit a two-prong outlet.
Cords. Make sure cords are not frayed or cracked, placed under rugs, tightly wrapped around any object, or located in high traffic areas. Do not nail or staple them to walls, floors or other objects.
Extension cords. These aren’t intended as permanent household wiring, so use them on a temporary basis only. If you find you need more electrical outlets, talk to an electrician about installing more.
Light bulbs. Verify that your light bulbs are the intended wattage for the lamp or fixture they’re in, and make sure they are screwed in securely.
Appliances and electronics. If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse or trips a circuit breaker—or has given you an electrical shock—immediately unplug it and have it repaired or replaced. Use surge protectors to protect expensive electronics. Make sure your appliances and electronics are placed in dry locations. If an appliance has been water-damaged, replace it.
Circuit breakers or fuses. Check that circuit breakers are working properly. Fuses should be properly rated for the circuit they’re protecting.
Service capacity. If fuses blow or trip frequently, you might need to increase the capacity of your electrical service or add new branch circuits. Contact a qualified electrician to determine the best and safest option for your needs.
