Top Three Tips to Prevent Electrical Fires In Your Home
One of the most dreaded accidents is an electrical fire.
A malfunction in wires and cables or within other electrical components can start a fire, often causing major structural damage. In the worst cases, it can even hurt the loved ones and give you regret for a lifetime. It’s important to know about the warning signs and prevent electrical fire damages from affecting your life.
What Causes Electrical Fires?
Ask any electrical contractor in El Dorado Hills CA, and they’ll tell you that most of these incidents are caused by sheer negligence. The results are catastrophic in terms of repair costs. Furthermore, electrical fires often leave fatalities in their wake. The most common causes of electrical fire accidents include -
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Old/defective equipment and electrical components
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Faulty or loose outlets
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Faulty lamps and other light fixtures
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Outdated wiring and extension cords
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Poor maintenance of the electrical system
How to Prevent Electrical Fires?
There are a few simple yet crucial things one needs to remember in order to keep their homes and most importantly, their loved ones safe. It is time to take a look into some of them in the sections that follow:
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APPLIANCES WITH DAMAGED POWER CORDS SHOULD BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY
Are you someone who prefers to repair instead of replacing old appliances!? Well, that’s great since you are contributing to reducing e-waste.
But, do you really repair damaged appliances especially the ones with worn-out power cords, on time!? If not then you are not only risking your own life but the lives of your loved ones as well. Be sure to get in touch with a licensed electrician El Dorado Hills ASAP and get those appliances fixed up!
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PERIODICALLY UPGRADE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IN YOUR HOME
Is your home equipped with:
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Aluminum wiring
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Knob/tube wiring or
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60-amp electrical systems (in case your home is pretty old)?
If that is the case, be advised, your home is at greater risk of witnessing an electrical fire since the systems mentioned above are prone to overheat when compared to modern-day electrical wiring systems.
It is strongly advised that you get in touch with a certified electrician and subject your home to a complete electrical wiring overhaul. With that being said, always go for certified, high-quality copper wiring with a capacity to withstand at least 100 amps of electrical current to keep arcing and thus, electrical fires at bay!
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KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR POSSIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGED AND DEFECTIVE APPLIANCES
It is always recommended to keep your eyes peeled for the following signs that can help you prevent electrical fires, injuries and even fatalities at bay in your home. Please pay attention!
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Discoloration around a power outlet is a positive sign of electrical arcing inside the circuit
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If the power cord of an appliance or an extension cord feels too hot to touch, unplug it immediately!
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Do you smell something like burning plastic!? Well, it could be the insulation around a power cord or in the concealed wiring of your home. Shut off the main power supply to your home and call-in professionals like electrical contractor El Dorado Hills right away!
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If you often see electrical sparks each time you plug in a device in an electrical outlet, it is possible that there is a fault in the same. It needs replacement or at least an inspection from a renowned electrician El Dorado Hills.
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An inspection from a professional electrician is a must in case the fuse(s) and breaker(s) in your home often blow up.
CONCLUSION
Even when you are being careful it is possible that an electrical fault or fire may occur. This is the reason why preventative maintenance is so important when it comes to the electrical system of your home. Call in a professional electrician Folsom every six months. Ask them to inspect your home’s electrical wiring and related fixtures for possible signs of damage, to be on the safe side of things.