Flipping a light switch. Plugging in a coffeemaker. Charging a laptop or iPhone. These actions are second nature for most of us. Electricity makes our lives easier, but its potential for shock and fire-related hazards are often taken for granted. That is why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) actively supports National Electrical Safety Month, an annual campaign sponsored by Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), which raises awareness of potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical fire safety, each May.
“Computers, kitchen appliances, heaters, fans, air conditioners – any equipment powered by electricity has the potential to be involved in an electrical fire,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “The good news is, people can take simple steps to greatly reduce electrical hazards like learning the proper way to plug in appliances, safeguarding electrical outlets in the home, and more.”
Safety tips to prevent electrical fire hazards
According to a recent NFPA report, U.S. Home Structure Fires, during 2011 – 2015 electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in the ignition of 34,000 reported home structure fires, on average, per year. These fires involved equipment such as wiring, lighting, cords and plugs. The report also states that electrical distribution or lighting equipment ranked first in direct property damage and third among the major fire causes in the number of home fires.
| The NFPA report states that electrical distribution or lighting equipment ranked first in direct property damage and third among the major fire causes in the number of home fires |
To help address this issue, NFPA and ESFI ask residents to adhere to the following safety tips:
- Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets where they can get damaged.
- Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets in your home to reduce the use of extension cords.
- Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage in a lamp or other light fixture. Check the sticker on the lamp to determine the maximum wattage light bulb to use
Inspection by a qualified electrician
Residents should also have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician, including scheduling electrical inspections when buying or remodelling a home. In addition, residents should call a qualified electrician or landlord when encountering the following warning signs in a house or apartment:
- Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
- A tingling feeling when touching an electrical appliance
- Discoloured or warm wall outlets
- A burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance
- Flickering or dimming lights
- Sparks from an outlet
“The National Electrical Code is updated every three years to include the latest in proven safety technology, and ESFI is committed to educating the public about the importance of upgrading to stay up to code,” said ESFI President Brett Brenner. “To prevent electrical fires and electric shock at home, have your house inspected annually by a qualified electrician.”
