If you ever smell an odor in your home that’s similar to burning plastic or rubber or even fish, it’s important that you take notice and investigate. It could be a sign that an electrical fire is starting. In 2023, fires resulted in $23 billion in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), with 51,000 fires annually attributed to electrical fires. Unlike cooking fires, electrical fires can be much more dangerous because they may not always be as easy to prevent as cooking fires. Keep reading to learn more about the root causes of electrical house fires and how you can minimize the losses that could arise from them.
What Causes Electrical Fires
From the lighting to the electronics and appliances, every room of our homes are powered by electricity. That means, there could be a multitude of opportunities for an electrical fire to ignite. Here are some of the most common causes of electrical fires.
Faulty Wiring
When wires are old, frayed, loose, or exposed or if they were not installed properly, the wiring can more easily overheat. Faulty wiring could be found on appliances or electronic devices, but it could also be behind walls, especially in old homes that were not designed to handle the capacity of modern electricity. Continuing to use malfunctioning appliances and electricity may put you at risk of an electrical fire.
Overloaded Circuits
If you use extension cords or power strips, having too many electronics and other devices plugged into them at once could overload them and spark a fire. It’s also not a good idea to plug one extension cord or power strip into another one. Be mindful that there are certain items that should never be plugged into an extension cord or power strip, such as a space heater or a large appliance like a refrigerator or washing machine. Such items should always be plugged directly into an electrical wall outlet.
Failed GFCI and AFCI Outlets
Another surefire way to cause electrical fires is not having GFCI or AFCI outlets installed throughout the home. These two types of outlets detect different types of electrical problems and shut off the flow of electricity when they detect an issue. If they aren’t working correctly, they could cause a fire.
An Old Breaker Box
An old electrical panel can cause an electrical fire if the breakers fail to trip when circuits are overloaded, allowing wires to overheat. Aging components may become corroded or loose, creating arcing or sparking that can ignite nearby materials. Additionally, older panels may not meet modern safety standards, increasing the risk of undetected faults or short circuits.
Not-So-Obvious Causes of Electrical Fires
Most common house fire causes related to electricity aren’t the only ways you could have an electrical fire. There are also some hidden home fire hazards that you should be aware of, which result from conditions created by using devices connected to electricity.
Incorrect Bulb Wattage
You may not be aware of this, but using the wrong bulb wattage in a lamp could cause an electrical fire. Although you may want to make your space brighter, installing a light bulb with a higher wattage than is recommended for the lamp or fixture can be dangerous. If you want more illumination in a room, it is safer to either get a different lamp or fixture that uses higher-wattage light bulbs or add multiple light sources.
Flammable Material Near Heat Sources
If you try to hide the look of a messy cord by placing a mat or rug over it, this may cause it to overheat and cause an electrical fire. Also be mindful of keeping other forms of flammable materials, like curtains, paper, or excess dust, away from any electronic or appliance that produces heat such as a lamp or appliance.
Pets Chewing on Wires
Your pet may enjoy chewing on shoes and other household items. Unfortunately, sometimes that includes wires. Not only can that damage the wiring and cause a fire, but your pet can also harm themselves in the process. If you have a pet that mischievously loves to treat wires as chew toys, you’ll want to put a stop to this behavior as soon as possible and also replace the damaged wiring.
Ways to Prevent an Electrical Fire
Although electrical fires may start at a moment’s notice, they are completely avoidable in most cases. Here are some ways you can prevent catastrophe and keep your family safe.
Get Inspections
One of the best ways to prevent electrical fires is to have regular inspections. Ideally, you should get an electrical inspection every three to five years. However, if you notice an uptick in tripped circuit breakers, see flickering or buzzing lights, or feel that your walls are warmer than usual in certain spots, you will want to call an electrician immediately to perform a safety inspection.
Avoid Amateur Electrical Work
Another way to prevent electrical fires is to not perform DIY electrical projects. Without the right experience, licensing, and compliance to electrical codes, you may put your family’s safety at risk from improper electrical work.
Upgrade an Outdated Electrical System
If you live in an older house and have noticed that it struggles to keep up with your modern appliances and energy use, it’s a worthy, though expensive, investment to hire a licensed electrician to replace your electical panel and/or rewire your house, which can save you money on energy bills in the long run, not to mention ensure your family’s safety. An electrian can also install more outlets throughtout the house, which will minimize your reliance on extension cords.
Make Sure GFCI and AFCI Outlets Work Properly
GFCI outlets are typically located in areas of your home that are prone to moisture. They help prevent electrocution by shutting off electricity if your hair dryer or similar electronics produce a massive electrical shock or become submerged in water. AFCI outlets protect your home by shutting off power if they detect arc faults that may overload circuits and cause fires, particularly in unseen places. If these outlets aren’t working properly, this could increase the likelihood of electrocution and fires, so it’s smart to test these outlets monthly. If they aren’t working, have a licensed electrician inspect and fix them to ensure they are working correctly.
Don’t Use Damaged Electrical Appliances or Cords
Even a slightly cut or frayed wire could cause a spark that could start a fire. Therefore, it’s best to discard damaged electrical cords instead of continuing to use them. Although it may be pretty tempting to use electrical tape to fix and patch up damaged cords, it’s best to replace the cord or the item entirely. The same goes for faulty or outdated appliances.
Rely on Your Senses
If you smell electrical burning odors, this could be a sign that something is wrong. Also, if you touch the plate covering an outlet and it feels hot, this could mean that danger is imminent. Another critical way to use your senses to detect electrical problems is by using your sight. Do you see smoke? Have you noticed sparks, dimmed lights or flickering? When inspecting cords and outlets, do they look discolored? All of these could be signs that something is going wrong with the electricity in your home. One more sense that will alert you to danger is sound. Do you hear sizzling or buzzing sounds when you turn on light switches or plug in something? This could also indicate that something is amiss with your electricity and may eventually lead to a fire.
Ensure Smoke Alarms are Working
Although this may not cause a fire, it is a great way to protect your family’s life and guard your valuables. Smoke alarms will detect any type of smoke, even that from electrical components. Checking your fire alarms at least once a month ensures they are functioning correctly in the event of an emergency.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy
Water should never be used in an electrical fire, as this could make it worse and even lead to electrocution. Instead, use a Class C fire extinguisher to contain a fire until the fire department arrives. If possible, try to unplug the item causing the electrical fire if possible to keep it from spreading. Most standard fire extinguishers in the home are Class ABC, which can handle an electrical fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a way to know that I’m at risk for an electrical fire?
The best way to determine this is to seek the assistance of a licensed professional electrician. They will use devices that detect what the naked eye cannot. Some signs that you may be at risk for an electrical fire include noticing flickering lights, electrical burning odors, discoloration around outlets, and tripped circuit breakers.
Who should I call if I suspect an electrical emergency?
It depends on the severity of the emergency. If a fire has already started due to an electrical spark, call the fire department immediately to put out the fire. If there is no fire present but the potential is present, it’s a good idea to call an electrician to check for problems and make the necessary repairs.
