Is Your Home or Office at Risk for an Electrical Fire? | Teems Electric

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are more than 25,000 electrical fires in the United States each year. The top causes of electrical fires include:

• Old appliances
• Outlet issues
• Unsafe wiring
• Improper use of an extension cord
• Placing a bulb that has a higher wattage than the light fixture is able to handle
• Unsafe space heaters

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent an electrical fire from happening in your home this year, and our team at Teems Electric wants to help!

Let’s take a look at ways you can prevent an electrical fire.

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Fire Risk

First, you want to make sure that you are not overloading your outlets. Just like there is only so much you can handle, the same is true for electrical outlets. Electrical outlets are only able to handle so much, so it is important to make sure you are not plugging in too many appliances into one outlet, which can lead to an electrical fire. This includes plugging in extension cords.

In addition, you want to make sure the outlets you are using, especially in kitchens and utility rooms, aren’t near water, as water around an outlet can also increase the electrical fire risk.

Second, you want to make sure you are not leaving electrical devices unattended. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and do not leave space heaters plugged in during the winter season if you aren’t around, as these are two main contributing factors for fires.

Finally, if it has been awhile since your home underwent an electrical upgrade, now might be the time to do so! Especially if you have an older home, the wiring might not be up to par with today’s technology.

If you feel your home or office could use an electrical upgrade, contact Teems Electric today to set up an appointment!