Day: May 31, 2024

It’s hard to imagine a home without electricity. We take this utility for granted, but there are significant fire risks to consider. Be honest: how often do you leave appliances plugged in even when you’re not using them, or forget to turn off devices when you leave the house? If you haven’t experienced electrical fire damage yet, consider yourself lucky—but know that your chances increase if you continue these habits. From 2015 to 2019, electrical distribution or lighting equipment, such as wiring, lighting, cords, and plugs, was involved in an estimated average of 32,620 reported home structure fires per year. The vast majority of these fires could have been prevented with proper safety precautions. Many of these precautions are simple actions you can take right now. By using your electrical devices and outlets correctly, you can drastically reduce your family’s risk of an electrical fire tragedy.  Please take a moment to read these tips, then go through your house to ensure everyone is following them. Help increase awareness about dangerous appliance and electrical fires in your community with these messages and free materials. What is an Electrical Fire? An electrical fire originates from electrical sources or systems, typically caused by overheating, malfunctioning, or damaged electrical components, equipment, or wiring. These fires pose a significant threat to residential, commercial, and industrial settings due to their ability to spread quickly and cause extensive damage to both lives and properties. In the United States, electrical fires have led to approximately 295 deaths and 900 injuries in residential settings. The property losses from these fires are estimated at $1.2 billion for homes and $501 million for non-residential structures. Similarly, in the European Union, electrical fires account for about 25-30% of all fires, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and causing €10 billion in property damage.