While cooking fires remain the undisputed number one cause of home fires, other types of fires may be caused by electrical issues. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “electrical distribution or lighting equipment is the leading cause of home fire property damage.”
Most people know not to use electronic and appliances with frayed wires. However, many aren’t aware of how dangerous silent threats can destroy your home, causing partial or total loss.
Take a look at how some of these hidden electrical hazards could cause a fire in your home.
Overheating Holiday Lights
Holiday lights define the winter season. You may have them draped around your tree, your banisters, or the roof. While they may be a dazzling light show for you and your neighbors to revel in, these lights can quickly become a fire hazard. If you’re using traditional incandescent lighting, these lights may overheat, start a fire, and spread quickly through your home.
Unsafe Space Heaters
Another threat this season is from space heaters. Many portable heater manufacturers have made significant strides to make these products safer and less likely to cause fires. These safety features include the following:
Tip-Over Switch – An internal sensor that detects when a heater is no longer level.
Overheat Protection – A thermal sensor that monitors the internal temperature of the unit.
Cool-Touch Housing – Plastic or metal coverings on the product that don’t get excessively hot, preventing burns and fires when the product comes into contact with material or furniture.
Despite these safety features, space heaters can still cause fires. In older homes, space heaters may cause thermal fatigue, in which loose connections from old-fashioned outlets may cause a fire behind the electrical faceplate.
You may smell a faint fishy or burning plastic smell if your faceplate is on fire. Plugging a space heater into an extension cord instead of directly into the wall can also cause a fire.
Extension Cord Overload
Plugging space heaters into extension cords isn’t the only way to overload them and cause a fire. Most standard extension cords are designed to handle electronics like lamps, chargers, televisions, and radios. However, some people may use them for hair dryers and small appliances. They may also plug too many types of things into the extension cord.
As a result, the cord itself may heat up and melt. If this wire is in proximity to flammable items such as rugs or carpets, it can spread the fire quickly.
Dysfunctional Appliances
Another problem you may encounter this winter is appliances, such as clothes dryers or dishwashers, catching fire. These appliances may experience internal shorts that can continue to draw power even when they are off. As a result, they may smolder overnight, causing an electrical fire.
Out-of-Control Arcing
Although arcing can be a problem year-round, it can be especially dangerous in winter. Metal wires and terminal screws contract due to freezing temperatures, creating gaps for an arc to form. In a matter of seconds, arcing can send bolts of electricity reaching temperatures of up to 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since this is occurring within the walls, it may char the insulation and framing, which can start a fire that won’t be visible at first. Before you know it, your home will be on fire with no warning signs of how it started.
Hungry Pests
Another threat, more common in winter, is a fire sparked by pests. As temperatures drop, mice and squirrels may seek shelter in your home. They often set up their nests near electrical wiring. These pests may chew on these wires, treating it as a tasty snack and floss for their sharp teeth. In turn, these frayed wires can ignite the nests they have built nearby, causing a fire.
To keep fires from igniting in your home this winter, you’ll need to be vigilant about the sneaky ways that electricity may cause a fire. Buying LED lights, being careful with space heaters, avoiding extension cord overload, and keeping your space pest-free are a few ways to avoid catastrophe.
Another way is to rely on the expertise of electricians to take inventory of your space and discover how to keep you safe this winter and throughout the year.
Schedule Your Electrical Upgrade and Protection Service Today
Call Bratcher Electric in Wayne today to schedule an appointment for our top-rated electrical services to include maintenance, electrical services upgrades, backup power systems, surge protection and more.