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More than 25000 electric fires are reported in the US annually. It injures and results in the death of more than 1300 people every year. Electrical fires cause significantly more damage as compared to the non-electrical fires.

A surprising detail awaits here.

Do you know that almost all these electrical fires could have been prevented by following a few simple strategies?

Adoption of very simple measures can reduce the possibilities of an electrical fire. Let’s have a look at such measures.

1. Replace Old Wiring

The lifespan of electrical systems is thirty to forty years. The older houses often have fuses set up with about 30 amps of power. The new houses have 100, 150 or even 200 amps of power. Several structure fire investigation agencies of Texas blame old wires for electrical fire breakout.

It’s not hard to guess the reason for replacing the old wiring. Right?

2. Avoid Overloading Electrical Circuits

This is the easiest step you can take to reduce the risk of electrical fires. Though easiest, this is one of the most effective steps. Each circuit is designed to deliver a given amount of electricity. If you are drawing more power, you end up stressing the circuits. This will cause the wires to deteriorate.

The best way to avoid circuit overload is through minimization of the number of electrical equipment that you are plugging into a given outlet. Minimize usage of power strips as much as you can.

3. Shun Aluminum Wires

Most houses built in the 1960s and 1970s have aluminum wiring. This corrodes and oxidizes easily as compared with the copper wires and is also said to be a common reason behind electrical fires.

If you don’t want to go for wiring upgrade for your whole house, you can call an electrician to install copper connectors. Though this is somewhat time-consuming, it does not involve plenty of equipment usage.

4. Don’t Use Frayed Wires

Frayed wires pose a major risk. Appliance wiring is possible to purchase from the hardware stores. You can also consider replacing frayed wiring on the small appliances.

You can use electrical tapes to get temporary protection against melting of the exposed conductors. However, make sure that you are not using it as a permanent solution.

5. Allow only the Licensed Electricians to Repair, Install or Dismantle Wiring

This will ensure completion of everything according to electrical safety codes, guaranteeing greater protection. Bringing in professional electricians will also prevent injuries that result when the less qualified individuals undertake electrical jobs they are not prepared to handle.

6. Never Use Counterfeit Electrical Products

If you have ever visited flea markets and seen vendors selling extension cords, power strips, batteries or circuit breakers at unbelievably low prices, never purchase them. They are counterfeits and overtly dangerous. They are putting a lot of people at risk.

Make sure to purchase the electrical products only from the reputed retailers. If you buy from them, you can remain assured of the fact that in case something goes wrong, you can easily return the product.

7. Maintain the Electrical Appliances Properly

Prevent dirt as well as oil buildup on the electrical appliances. This puts the electrical appliance at the risk of overheat. In case you find buildup, switch off the electrical equipment and unplug it. Use just clean and dry rags and brushes; following the manufacturer manual.

8. Repair Electrical Appliances on Time

Stop using electrical equipment if it produces weird sounds, sparks or smells odd. Unplug it while you repair the equipment to prevent it from getting accidentally energized while it is in the process of being replaced or repaired.

Be Ready to Extinguish Electrical Fire

Even after taking all the steps to prevent electrical fires, it is better to keep abreast of the ways to douse them. It is always better to remain prepared for the worst. The electrical fires are extremely tricky to handle. If you try to douse them using water, you run the risk of getting electrocuted. To be safe, make sure that the fire extinguisher installed in your house is marked. This will aid determining efficiency against fires that involve ordinary combustible materials, electrical equipment, and flammable liquids. 

Make sure you keep an escape plan ready in case the worst happens. Run out of the house as soon as possible and call in fire fighters as they are better trained to handle such untoward incidents than you are.

Emily Smith is a fire expert and her areas of interests and expertise include forensic science and accident or crime scene investigation related matters. She often conducts fire investigation in Houston. Blogging is her hobby and she is also a consultant blogger, having well-accepted write-ups on a wide range of topics, such as general safety, security and safety equipment.