According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) electrical distribution equipment malfunctions account for one out of 12 reported home fires and one out of 14 associated deaths. Electrical distribution equipment includes all components of the building’s electrical distribution system as well as light fixtures, lamps, light bulbs, cords and plugs throughout the house. These are a lot of common household items, so make sure that your home is properly secured and safe from all of it’s potential threats, especially with your CT homeowners insurance.
In order to keep your house safe from electric threats, follow these safety tips:
- Replace or repair loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices.
- Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
- In homes with small children, electrical outlets should be tamperproof devices or have approved safety covers.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
- Avoid overloading outlets. Consider plugging only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
Think about all of the things in your home that can cause an electrical fire! All of those numerous computers and other electronic devices available to consumers can contribute to the threat. While many of these devices draw relatively low current, attempting to put too many of them on a single extension strip can lead to overheating problems.
Adding numerous electronic devices to the same circuit as other appliances increases the chance of overloading and tripping circuits. If this happens regularly, it is a sign that electrical work is needed.