Scarborough Home Repairs: What Causes An Electrical Fire?

There are approximately 360,000 house fires every year. Of these, approximately 51,000 are sparked by electricity. An electrician in Scarborough can help you identify potential risks for electrical fires in your home and repair them so they no longer pose as much of a threat.

What Causes Electrical Fires?

There are many possible causes of electrical fires, but some are more common than others. One common cause is using extension cords to power too many electrical devices from the same source at the same time. This can wear out the system over time by overloading the circuit. If your home does not have enough dedicated outlets, an electrician in Scarborough can have more installed for you. This allows every appliance or device to have its own dedicated circuit, relieving strain on the circuits and decreasing the risk for fire.

When it comes to light fixtures, sometimes it is not the power source that presents a fire hazard. Rather, it is the wattage of the bulb that you use in it. When you buy a new lamp, pendant light, or wall sconce, it should include instructions telling you what wattage to use in it. Be sure that the light bulb you use doesn’t exceed the wattage that the fixture is built to handle. Even if you use the correct bulb, a light fixture can wear out over time and potentially cause a fire. Replace a light fixture or lamp when it gets too hot to the touch during operation. Only use lampshades that are made to fit the size and shape of your lamp and do not cover it with a cloth.

With wear and tear through the years, older appliances can pose a greater fire risk because of problems that you cannot see, such as loose wires, or that you can see, such as frayed cords. Even if they still work, they almost certainly don’t meet current safety standards or comply with regulations. Just because an appliance is still operational doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe to use. Do not use appliances that produce a burning smell when plugged in or make strange noises. Replace appliances that are outdated.

You may have an appliance that is an antique that you do not want to replace. If so, you can have it repaired and the outdated components replaced so that it meets modern standards.

What Can You Do To Decrease Fire Risk?

There are several things that you can do, both to decrease the fire danger in your home and to keep your family safe in case of fire. If an appliance has a cord that is broken, crimped, or frayed, do not plug it in. This could cause a spark that ignites a fire.

Water doesn’t extinguish electrical fires but it does conduct electricity, meaning you should never try to put out a fire this way. You should keep a fire extinguisher with a Class C rating in your home. Many fire extinguishers have ABC ratings, meaning that they are effective against different types of fires, including electrical ones.

Test and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors often. Install these on every level of your home, including one in every sleeping area.

One of the most important things you can do to prevent electrical fires is to have an inspection of your electrical system to make sure it is safe and up to code. This is especially important if your house is older than 20 years. It may be necessary to replace old wiring, update the electrical panel, or upgrade the outlets.

Hire an Electrician in Scarborough From Handyman Connection

Our technicians can inspect your system and perform the necessary electrical repair services. Electricity is not something that amateurs should deal with, so contact Handyman Connection and let our qualified electricians handle the job.

*All electrical work is subcontracted to ECRA/ESA Licensed Electrical Contractors