Electrical fires are responsible for approximately 51,000 house fires and almost 500 deaths each year. You use your home’s electrical system every day, and it’s up to you and your electrician to ensure that it will operate safely. Know what you should do to reduce the risk of dangerous electrical fires in your home.

How to Reduce Electrical Fire Risk

1. Schedule an Inspection

Most homeowners should bring in an electrician to conduct a full inspection once every three to five years — with inspections occurring more often if you have an older home. You should have it done sooner if you see signs of a poorly functioning system — consistently tripping circuit breakers, blown fuses, lights flickering when you use an appliance, or outlets not working properly. During the inspection, your electrician will look at all the system components to ensure it can handle your needs, will function safely, and is up to code.

2. Avoid Overloading

Overloading occurs when you plug too many appliances into an outlet or power strip. Outlets and power strips are only designed to handle a certain amount of voltage. Do not use more than two appliances per outlet. Always buy power strips that have an overload protection, which will shut off once it gets overloaded to prevent overheating and sparking. A surge protector is a smart choice for the entire home to protect all your appliances as well.

3. Use Cords With Care

Cords are designed with the plastic outer wrapping to protect the wires within. Never use a cord that is frayed or cracked. Do not nail them or staple them to anything, and do not run them in high traffic areas. Avoid using extension cords long-term, since they are prone to overheating and overloading; instead, have your electrical contractor install some new outlets to fit your needs.

Zelek Electrical Co. offers a complete range of reliable electrical services to the property owners of Old Lyme, CT. Their team of electricians has served the area for over 33 years and earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau® for their history of strong customer satisfaction. In addition to safe systems, they are known for installing eco-friendly power solutions such as solar panels. Contact the electricians online or at (860) 434-9726 to schedule an appointment.