Are you aware of the causes of electrical fires and ways to prevent them? Let’s find out.
Fire accidents are unfortunate for several reasons. They destroy your house materials as well as your valuable belongings. If fires aren’t controlled promptly, they can spread quickly and can even be life-threatening. Furthermore, fires leave behind smoke and soot, which are toxic to ingest and inhaling them can lead to adverse health conditions. Several things ignite a fire. In the upcoming paragraphs, we will discuss the causes of electrical fires and ways to prevent them.
Let’s delve right in.
Causes of Electrical Fires
Light Fixtures
One of the primary causes of an electrical fire is an inappropriate light fixture. If the wattage of your light bulb is too high for the fixture, you can expect an electrical fire to break out. The wattage of your light bulb should always be suitable for the fixture. Furthermore, never cover the light bulb with any material or fabric. The heat from the bulb can heat up the material and start a fire.
Overloaded Circuits
Sometimes, we plug too many appliances in a single power point, which can result in a short circuit. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there, and overloaded circuits can cause an electrical fire. Plugging multiple appliances in the same circuit increases the amperage, which is not safe at all.
Portable Heaters
As the name suggests, portable heaters can be moved around from one place to another. However, if these heaters are placed close to combustible objects, they can start a vicious fire. There are different types of portable heaters. The most dangerous types of portable heaters are the ones with coils. The coils in these heaters tend to overheat, thus igniting nearby objects. If you are out in the market shopping for a portable heater, get the one with a radiator. The radiator ones are less dangerous than the coil ones.
Phone Chargers
It is possible to use a different brand charger for your phone. However, poorly manufactured chargers can lead to electrical fires. Hence, it is better if the charger and the gadget both come from the same manufacturer. The manufacturing company can certify that the charging device is suitable for charging the appliance and will not cause any damage.
Also, overcharging the phone can result in overheating, which can cause a fire.
These were some of the most common causes of electrical fires. Now, let’s discuss some of the easiest ways to prevent an electrical fire.
- The appliances should be unplugged when they are not in use.
- Extension cords should only be used occasionally.
- The electrical system should be updated periodically.
- Devices with damaged power cords shouldn’t be plugged.
- Make good use of surge protectors.
- Keep combustible materials at bay.
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