How often does protecting your home from the possibility of an electrical fire cross your mind?
Electrical fires result in thousands of injuries and deaths. These fires also result in hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage. It’s an estimated $1.3 billion in direct property damage a year.
Fire departments responded to an average of 44,880 home fires per year between 2012-2016 that involved electrical failures or malfunction.
Additionally, electrical malfunction continues to lead the cause of home fires year after year. As a homeowner, this should be a wake-up call.
Dream Team electricians have been dispatched to many service calls where the homeowner or their significant other says, “I know what I’m doing” or “I’ll watch a tutorial on YouTube”.
DIY electrical projects can cause fire hazards if not handled professionally. It’s a messy situation for homeowners, and potentially a costly one at that.
Take Proper Precautions
Home fires involving electrical failures and malfunctions caused an estimated average of 440 civilian deaths and 1,250 civilian injuries per year between 2012-2016.
Electrical fires strike in your home if the proper precautions are not taken.
If you’re a VIP Member of ours, you receive an annual electrical inspection of your home. One of our licensed electricians will inspect:
- Main electrical panel
- General wiring conditions
- Kitchen outlets
- Surge suppression
- Outside wiring and lights
- Furnace & A/C wiring
- Attic & basement wiring
- Overall electrical safety inspection
Knob and Tube Hazards
In the Greater Philadelphia area, there are a lot of older homes. If your home was built between 1900 – 1940, you’re probably familiar with or have an existing knob and tube wiring.
Knob and tube wiring was once deemed an electrical system of choice. By today’s electrical safety standards, it is no longer safe and should be replaced. Our electricians have over 20 years of experience replacing knob and tube systems.
No one is immune to electrical fires. As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to take the proper precautions to prevent electrical fires. A good start is making sure you’re hiring a professional electrician to inspect and upgrade your home’s electrical systems.
Spoiled By Electricity
Electricity makes our lives easier. It supports our appliances, HVAC systems, entertainment equipment, washers, dryers, and much more.
Your electricity keeps you powered up and connected to the outside world.
During COVID-19, electricity is working double-time to support your work from home setup. It’s even supporting your children while they play video games or stream television.
Electricity has spoiled us by making our lives easier and faster. On the other hand, we tend to take its power and its potential for fire-related hazards for granted.
We can fix this if we educated ourselves on the hazards and do an inspection of our home’s electrical systems.
Data from the U.S. Fire Department
When it comes to electrical fires disasters, there can be a variety of causes.
According to data provided by the National Fire Protection Association, almost 50% of home fires are caused by lighting equipment. The most recent data shows the following –
Fires Involving Electrical Failure or Malfunction
- 51% – Unclassified electrical failure or malfunction
- 24% – Unspecified short-circuit arc
- 10% – Short circuit arc from defective or worn insulation
- 6% – Arc or spark from operating equipment
- 5% – Arc from faulty contact or broken conductor
- 4% – Short circuit arc from mechanical damage
Short circuits from defective or worn insulation caused 14% of home fire deaths (2012-2016). Do you see any electrical or appliance cords being pinched or flexed repetitively?
Apart from this, short circuits can also be due to damaged wiring inside of your walls. Think of nails and screws that puncture insulation during ordinary activities, such as hanging a picture or a floating shelf.
However, this doesn’t mean electrical equipment is the only cause. Electric fires are caused by other types of household equipment you use daily.
Fires Involving Household Equipment
- 50% – Lighting equipment
- 15% – Cooking equipment
- 9% – Heating equipment
- 6% – Fans
- 3% – Air conditioners
- 3% – Clothes dryers
- 12% – Other known equipment
Electrical Faults & Improper Use
Importantly, most of these electrical problems result in fires because they’re faulty. An internal issue with the equipment being used exists. Frayed wires or interior damaged are examples to look for.
In addition, another reason could be improper use. Our expert electricians strongly urge our customers and residents to be careful when using older items or installing new electrical products.
It’s crucial to read instruction manuals on how to not only use electrical products but understand the product’s limits. This would include how long the product can run for, its battery life, and when it should be replaced.
Hire a Professional Electrician
Our electricians have been dispatched to many calls that involved a DIY electrical project. DIY electrical projects are dangerous and should be avoided.
Nevertheless, when your home requires an electrical project or upgrade, call electricians that are licensed and trained.
At Dream Team, we believe in taking responsibility for educating our customers and homeowners about safety in the world of electricity.
For our VIP Members, they get the added benefit of an annual electrical safety inspection. This takes the responsibility out of their hands and in the hands of our experienced electricians. We protect their home as if it were our own.
Lastly, if you have any questions regarding our electric services and how we can help keep your family protected, schedule an appointment today or give us a call.
service@dreamteampa.com | 610-609-7771