| This article outlines easy steps you can take to | | | | equipment. |
| prevent electrical fires in your house and help | | | | These are some simple steps you can take to |
| prevent property damage and potential death. | | | | help prevent electrical fires in the house |
| Are you aware that each year, there are 67,800 | | | | - Carefully Think about any Do-It-Yourself |
| electrical fires in the home that take the lives of | | | | electrical project. It is always to have any |
| 485 citizens, hurt 2,305 more people, and cause | | | | electrician work done by a journeyman electrician. |
| $868 million dollars in property loss*? Some | | | | - NEVER run an extension cord under a carpet! |
| electrical fires are caused by lightning and faulty | | | | The foot and chair traffic across the area rug will |
| appliances, but considerably a lot more are caused | | | | over time cut through the cord, causing an |
| by old wiring, misuse of extension cords, and | | | | immediate fire hazard. |
| overloaded circuits. In fact, bad electrical wiring | | | | - Small space heaters are the cause of a lot of |
| (perhaps done by do-it-your-selfers) causes twice | | | | fires. Keep clothing, draperies, and any combustible |
| as many fires as electrical appliances. While it is | | | | material a minimum of three feet away from |
| usually best to have any electrician work done by | | | | space heaters at all times. |
| a licensed electrician, there are a lot of things you | | | | - Always check all lamp cords, extension cords |
| can do in the home to help keep your family safe. | | | | regularly, and look for signs of overheating, |
| Basic stats to consider | | | | frayed insulation, or bent prongs. Always replace |
| - December is the time of year when a lot of | | | | all worn or damaged electrical cords immediately. |
| electrical fires tend to occur. | | | | - Routinely check all of your appliances, especially |
| - Almost all electrical wiring fires begin in the | | | | where the cord attaches, and look for signs of |
| bedroom. | | | | worn wiring. |
| - In the cold months, deaths due to electrical fires | | | | - Never let kids play with or near electrical |
| are much higher. This is usually due to the | | | | appliances such as space heaters, hair dryers, or |
| increased amount of indoor activities, increased | | | | irons. |
| lighting needs, heating, and appliance use. | | | | - Never force a 3 prong plug into a two prong |
| - In urban areas, poor wiring is the cause of over | | | | socket. |
| 33% of residential electrical fires. | | | | - Never overload extension cords or outlets. |
| - The home appliances most involved in home | | | | - If you find a light switch that is warm to the |
| electrical fires are central heating units, electric | | | | touch, or the lights flicker when using the switch, |
| ovens, dryers, televisions, radios, and stereo | | | | call a journeyman electrician and replace it at once. |