Beatrice Lang
Electrical fires are a serious problem, causing nearly 50,000 house fires each year in the US alone. They usually start in the bedroom, but the highest number of fatalities occur when fires start in the living room, family room, or den. The leading cause of electrical fires is faulty wiring, which can occur when wires are not properly installed or maintained, causing them to overheat and ignite. Other causes include overloaded outlets, damaged or frayed cords, and the improper use of extension cords. To prevent electrical fires, it is important to have your wiring checked regularly by a licensed electrician and to be aware of potential risks, such as running cords under rugs or using appliances with worn or frayed cords.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location in the home | Bedrooms are the most common location for electrical fires to start, followed by attics or vacant crawl spaces. |
| Items first ignited | Electrical wire, cable insulation, and structural members or framing. |
| Factors contributing to ignition | Electrical failure or malfunction, unspecified short-circuit arc, and short-circuit arc from defective or worn insulation. |
| Causes of electrical fires | Faulty electrical outlets, outdated appliances, faults in appliance cords, receptacles, switches, and light fixtures. |
| Other causes | Overloaded outlets, damaged or frayed cords, improper use of extension cords, failure to clean out dryer lint, portable heaters placed near flammable materials, phone chargers, and circuit breaker issues. |
| Prevention | Use working smoke detectors and alarms, unplug appliances when not in use, avoid running cords under rugs, and hire a licensed electrician to inspect wiring and perform electrical inspections. |
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Faulty wiring
Outlets and circuits should never be overloaded with too many devices. Overloading can occur when using extension cords, which can overheat and start a fire. If you must use an extension cord, choose one that is rated for the wattage of the appliance. Be sure to inspect extension cords regularly for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks in the insulation. If in doubt, don't use the extension cord.
Other warning signs of faulty wiring include a burning plastic or rubber smell, a sizzling sound, tripping breakers, blown fuses, discoloured outlets, sparks or flames, and charred or melted wires. If you notice any of these signs, call a licensed electrician immediately to inspect your home's electrical system.
To prevent electrical fires, it's important to have your wiring checked regularly by a licensed electrician. Keep cords away from sources of heat, and unplug appliances when not in use. Avoid running cords under rugs, and never remove the grounding plug from a cord to fit it into a two-prong electrical outlet.
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Overloaded outlets
To prevent overloading, never plug more than two appliances into an outlet at once. Do not piggyback extra appliances on extension cords or wall outlets. Only use outlets that are designed to handle multiple plugs. If you have too few outlets, hire a licensed electrician to install more.
Be wary of appliances that use 1,000 or more watts, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, hot plates, irons, microwave ovens, dishwashers, heaters, and deep fryers. Avoid plugging these into the same outlet or circuit. To use these appliances safely, know which outlets are connected to the same electrical circuit in your home. Do not exceed 1,500 watts for each outlet or circuit. Wattage requirements are listed in the appliance manufacturer's instructions.
Some warning signs of an overloaded outlet include blinking, flickering, and dimming lights. Other signs include blown fuses, tripping circuits, buzzing receptacles, and a burning odour. If you notice any of these signs, take action to reduce the load on the outlet and consult an electrician if necessary.
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Faulty appliances
Light fixtures, lamps, and light bulbs are another common cause of electrical fires. Installing a bulb with a wattage that is too high for the lamp or fixture is a leading cause of electrical fires. It is important to always check the maximum recommended bulb wattage on any lighting fixture or lamp and never go over the recommended amount. Additionally, placing materials like cloth or paper over a lampshade can cause the material to heat up and ignite, starting a fire. Faulty lamps and light fixtures can also frequently result in fires.
Kitchen appliances are also a common cause of fires. Electric ranges are at a greater risk than gas ranges of causing fires. Grease fires can happen quickly on a cooktop and can get out of control quickly, with nearby items catching fire if the grease splashes and spreads. Toasters and toaster ovens can catch fire when food is overcooked and ignites. Other causes of toaster fires include flammable items such as dish towels placed too close to the appliance, as well as when the internal heating elements and lever springs malfunction. Microwaves can also catch fire due to faulty wiring or an electrical short.
It is important to always plug major appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers, directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord with a major appliance, as it can overheat and start a fire. Unplug small appliances when they are not in use. Keep anything that can burn away from lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs, and use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage. If an appliance has a cracked, damaged, or loose cord, replace it. Do not overload outlets, and insert plugs fully into sockets.
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Phone chargers
Firstly, it is important to only use the charger provided by the phone manufacturer, and to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Only use the battery and charging cord designed for your specific device. If a charger shows any sign of damage, such as exposed wires or cracks, do not use it.
Secondly, it is important to avoid overloading sockets. Do not plug too many devices into one plug socket by using multiple extension cables. It is safe to use one extension cable in a double plug socket, but it is dangerous to plug one extension cable into another or to have two plugged into one double socket. Avoid connecting extension cords, and instead, use a single heavy-duty extension cord and operate only one appliance at a time.
Thirdly, it is important to avoid charging your phone in bed. Research has revealed that 53% of children and teens charge their phones or tablets in bed, which can be extremely dangerous. The heat generated cannot dissipate, and the charger will become hotter and hotter, potentially causing the bed or pillow to catch fire. Susan McKelvey, communications manager for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), advises that smartphones should be charged in locations that allow for adequate ventilation so they don't overheat.
Finally, it is important to be aware of any unusual signs. Watch out for charging devices that feel hot to the touch, or discolouration around the accessory (usually orange or black). Listen for buzzing sounds that could indicate arcing in loose wires. If you are concerned about the wiring in your home, it is important to contact a qualified electrician.
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Light fixtures
Another cause of electrical fires is placing materials such as cloth or paper over a lampshade. The material heats up and ignites, causing a fire. Faulty lamps and light fixtures can also frequently result in fires. If a lamp or light fixture has a cracked, damaged, or loose cord, replace the appliance.
When installing a new light fixture, it is important to properly splice (wire-nut) wires. A loose connection may seem to work, but it creates a lot of heat and may start a fire without tripping a breaker or blowing a fuse. If you are inexperienced with installing light fixtures, it is best to hire a licensed electrician.
To prevent electrical fires caused by light fixtures, lamps, and light bulbs, keep anything that can burn away from them. Additionally, unplug small appliances when they are not in use.
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Frequently asked questions
Electrical fires in the home are often caused by faulty wiring, overloaded outlets, damaged or frayed cords, and improper use of extension cords. Other causes include faulty electrical outlets, outdated appliances, and faults in appliance cords, receptacles, and switches.
Warning signs that your home might be at risk for an electrical fire include discolouration around accessories (usually orange or black) and buzzing sounds that could indicate arcing in loose wires. If any part of your electrical system seems suspicious, gets hot, or smells like it's burning, call an electrician immediately.
If an electrical fire occurs, cut the power source if you can do so safely. Never pour water on an electrical fire unless it has been unplugged. Try smothering it with baking soda or covering it with a dense blanket or another fabric item to suffocate the fire. Use a class C fire extinguisher and follow the usage instructions on the canister.
To prevent electrical fires, have your wiring checked regularly by a licensed electrician. Avoid overloading outlets and circuits, and unplug appliances when they are not in use. Use lightbulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture, and do not run cords under rugs or carpets as they may overheat.
