The risk of a house fire is high, making it one of the most serious problems that can arise at home. The chilly winter months can cause an increase in flames due to improper heating methods, but warm weather does not eliminate the risk of fire.
People in the area are at risk of death from the heat and breathing in the smoke, gases, and vapours released when the fire is ignited. Smoke reduces visibility, making it difficult for people to escape a fire.
Most accidents, fortunately, can be avoided by following basic home safety recommendations. These will teach you how to prevent house fires and avoid dangerous circumstances at work or at home.
What Starts Electrical Fires?
Most electrical fires in houses are caused by improperly installed wiring (typically DIY wiring), overloaded circuits, and the improper use of extension cables. While having any electrical work done by a trained expert contractor is always safer and more efficient, there are several things you can do at home to prevent fires.
Four common sources of electrical fires are:
- New Appliance Installation
- Power Extension Cords
- Lighting Fixtures
- Power Adapters
1. New Appliance Installation
If you’re trying to install a non-electronic appliance without the aid of a licensed electrician, you should inspect your work before plugging it in. Electronic devices must be used with a voltage regulator to be plugged into a standard outlet.
2. Power Extension Cords
Extension cords are the most common and preventable electrical fires. To avoid them, ensure the extension cord’s capacity matches the appliance(s) used. Never overload an extension cable by connecting appliances with a total wattage higher than their rating.
Be sure the extension cord is not damaged in any way before plugging it in. Older extension cords may start to separate, exposing wires. Dispose of damaged or ripped wires.
3. Lighting Fixtures
Some light bulbs are only compatible with certain wall sconces or ceiling fixtures. Incandescent bulbs are used in some fixtures, while fluorescent lights are present in others. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions if you are still determining which sort of bulb will fit where. To avoid an electrical fire, use light bulbs with electrical sockets corresponding to the bulb’s wattage.
4. Power Adapters
A surge protector or power strip cord is another type of electrical extension. These often feature six or more outlets with a single main cord that connects to a wall socket. These are handy solutions when using several electronic devices in one area, such as a living room, kitchen, or home office.
However, it would help if you exercise extreme caution around live wires. First and foremost, you should never connect one power strip to another in a “piggyback” fashion. You risk fire, blown fuses, or even electric shock if you do this. Because electrical house fires are a primary cause, it is always wise to carefully arrange your electrical cords on a spaced-out power strip. It will avoid potential fire threats.
Familiarity with plug prongs is also useful. Replace two-pronged outlets with three-pronged outlets to ensure the safety of your outlets. It can be inserted securely and more stable, reducing the risk of falling from the wall outlet. Never tear off the third prong on a plug to connect it to a two-prong outlet for everyone’s safety. In addition to being highly risky, this also raises the possibility of more issues that could endanger you and your house.
Preventing Electrical Fires
The first step in preventing electrical fires in homes is understanding what causes them. A portable heater, for example, should be placed in the centre of the room, far from the walls, curtains, beds, and other furniture. There are numerous other techniques to avoid or reduce the risk of electrical fires, most of which are simple and easy to implement.
Tips for Preventing Electrical Fires
Keep your home free of flammable materials to lessen the chances of an electrical fire. If you have anything combustible near your stove, fireplace, water heater, dryer, and so on, it could pose a problem if it catches fire. Make an effort to maintain a distance of four feet or more between flammable materials and other nearby items. Also, do not burn candles unattended; instead, extinguish them immediately after use. Keep kids away from anything that even remotely resembles them. Also, always unplug unneeded electronics before heading to bed, so they don’t switch back on while you’re asleep.
Troubleshoot Wiring Issues
It is common for electrical fires to occur as a result of faulty wiring. Ensure no circuits are regularly tripping in your circuit breaker box. Light fixtures and switches should be replaced whenever possible. Check that all lights are working correctly and that no bulbs are burned out. For safety reasons, covers should be placed over them.
To avoid an electrical fire, solve electrical wiring issues as soon as you discover them. Even the greatest electrical wiring can deteriorate over time, especially around lighting fixtures and light switches. As a result, it is critical to have your wiring regularly tested to avoid an electrical fire. Lights flickering or dimming can indicate a faulty wiring system.
How to Extinguish an Electrical Fire
Even if you don’t have a fire extinguisher, knowing how to put out an electrical fire is critical. Preparing for the worst-case scenario and adopting safeguards such as system updates will help reduce your chances of experiencing one in the first place!
Turn off the power source.
When battling fires, the first step is to cut off power at the source. Disconnecting the power source of a fire source is critical to containing it. Unplugging it will reduce your risk even if you can’t get rid of that one device. It will give you more time to focus on other potential culprits, such as flammable objects near appliances or fuel sources with open flames. When you switch off the electricity, you have eliminated the cause of the fire and are no longer at risk of electrocution.
Putting out the Fire
A fire blanket will suffocate all oxygen, putting out any fires even if there is no water around. If no blankets are available and you know the electricity has been turned off, you can substitute buckets of water or spray heads from sinks!
Baking soda is another alternative. If the fire was caused by an appliance or an overloaded power cord, you could sprinkle baking soda on the flames once the power source has been disconnected. Sodium bicarbonate, found in baking soda, is a Class C fire extinguisher. Reztor Restoration suggests keeping baking soda available in your kitchen for easy access.
It is critical to understand how to put out an electrical fire so that the fire does not spread. When a fire grows too big, it becomes much more difficult to manage. Electrical fires demand professional aid in some circumstances, and firefighters must enter through windows or doors. They will certainly have to evacuate people and pets from adjoining rooms.
When the flames have died down, open the vents and allow air to circulate throughout the building. Allow fresh air to flow throughout the space. Then, after everything appears to be safe, seal those openings again. Finally, remove damp clothing and shoes to avoid spreading moisture onto carpets and floors.
By keeping the tips above in mind, you can avoid electrical fires in your home, avoiding property damage and potential loss of life. Also, always have a smoke alarm fitted for your safety.
Reztor Restoration would be honoured to assist you with any home or business fire restoration services.
