Top 10 Causes of Electrical Fires

Believe it or not, electrical fires cause up to 1,400 injuries, 500 deaths, and over $1 billion in property damage because of 51,000 electrical fires across the USA alone. Despite being so avoidable, why are these incidents happening so uncontrollably? Well, human error is one of the most common reasons to date. As we said, these accidents are easily avoidable if you are aware of the common causes of electrical fires.

 

 

 

Similar to every other piece of electrical equipment, household wiring also gets old and damaged due to constant heat and pressure. This slow damage builds up and weakens the wiring, which is already struggling to keep your household’s lights on. In time, this results in making electrical sparks which turn into fire. You can contact electric service Toronto to get your household wiring checked and fixed today. 

 

 

When it comes to keeping your house warm and comfortable during harsh winters, space and portable heaters have no match. However, still, besides being comfortable and convenient, these heaters are also a safety hazard. If you are someone who uses space heaters regularly, then you should be aware of all the associated risks as well as how to overcome them. You can visit the electrical contracting Toronto website or contact them to learn more about the risks associated with space heaters. 

 

Although fans are one of the least probable causes of an electrical fire in households, they are easily one of the most ignored electrical appliances. Sometimes, ceiling and table fans are left on throughout the day and night in continuity. This can cause overheating of the appliance, which can result in causing an electrical spark or fire.

 

 

If you ask what is the most common cause of electrical fire after old wiring, kitchen equipment easily takes second place. However, most of the time, these fires are caused by oil spills or gas leaks. Standard electrical kitchen equipment is also one of the top reasons. Make sure to contact a licensed electrician from electric service Toronto to check and maintain your house's electrical load and wiring conditions.

 

 

The next common reason is the sudden surge of electricity can cause fire. However, in recent years, these types of issues have been fixed by electricity departments, but accidents are still common. It will be way better to be on the safer side than to be sorry here.

 

 

The next thing on our list of top 10 causes of electrical fire is faulty appliances. Sometimes people keep using an appliance that is older than themselves just to save a couple of hundreds of bucks. This is a very dangerous habit that can result in an electrical fire.

 

Suppose you notice that your washing machine, dryer, heater, or other similar devices are making noise or working harder than usual. In that case, you should get them checked by a licensed electrician.

 

 

Overusing extension cords can put an overload on wall sockets. This is not good for the health of wall sockets and even the wiring. In addition to this, a sudden surge of electricity can cause fire.

 

 

Though faulty appliances often cause electrical fires, sometimes even the receptors or outlets can cause a fire. To be safe, we would advise you to contact electrical contracting Toronto to maintain your electric outlets.

 

 

It is a big no to put any kind of flammable material such as cotton, cloth, oil, etc., near bulbs or lampshades. Despite being obvious, this is one of the most common causes of electrical fires.

 

 

You should never use an excessive wattage bulb. This will save up your electricity bill and your house from any sort of electric fire. 

 

 

So, now you are entirely aware of some of the most common reasons behind household electrical fires. Keep your electrical appliances and wiring maintained to be safe.