Preventing Home Electrical Fires

House fires can be prevented.  Many home fires are caused by electrical wiring.  One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is to use extension cords for anything and everything. When you buy a new appliance for your home, do not assume you can plug it into an extension cord if it can not reach the receptacle.  Depending what amperage that appliance uses, it may be pulling too much amperage and over load your circuit.

Another mistake homeowners frequently make is to over load power strips and receptacles.  If you have a multiple receptacle plug and want to add a blow dryer, you will cause the breaker to trip.  Some appliances like a blow dryer can not be plugged into a multiple receptacle with several other appliances already filling it up.  It is the same for a power strip.  Over loading a power strip will cause it to trip off.

Many of these home fire problems can be prevented by upgrading your electrical home system.  But before you call your brother, uncle, cousin, or neighbor, you should consider if they are a licensed electrical contractor or are they a handyman.  There is a big difference.  A licensed professional must train and have on the job experience in their specific field like electrical.  The professional must also be licensed and insured.  A handyman does not. 

Many people won’t do plumbing but will do their own electrical work.  I never heard of a house burning down because of faulty plumbing.  Electricity is serious business.  It takes a qualified professional to work in your home.  Would you trust the lives of your loved ones to just anybody?

Comments

[Home Electrician]

Thanks for this information

[Jackie]

Considering the fact that more Americans die in home fires each year than in all natural disasters combined.