Electrical Safety In Your Home

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

Electricity makes our lives easier; but we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind.

Electricity helps make our lives easier but there can be times when we take its power and its potential for fire-related hazards for granted.  Many existing homes can't handle the demands of today's electrical appliances and devices.  Warning signs include flickering lights, circuit breakers that constantly trip, and cracked electrical cords.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are approximately 45,000 home electrical fires each year with half of them involving home wiring or lighting equipment.  Peak months for electrical fire deaths are November through March with peak times between midnight and 8:00am.  The following are a few tips to be fire smart with electricity in your home:

• Plug only one heat-producing appliance (like a coffee maker, space heater, or microwave) directly into a wall outlet at a time.
• Never use an extension cord with a heat-producing appliance.
• Extension cords should only be used temporarily.  Have an electrician install wall outlets where you need them.
• Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.  Do not use extension cords or power strips.
• Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
• Use light bulbs with the right number of watts.  There should be a sticker that indicates the right number of watts.

If you experience fire damage to your home from an electrical fire, SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties is Here to Help!  Call us today, 269-686-0664