Electricity is a vital part of everyday life in America but many people don’t realize the dangers that lurk within their walls. At Bates Electric we want to ensure that your family is safe from common electrical problems by not only providing superior electrician services in the Dayton, OH, area but by also providing basic electrical education to our clients.
It may shock you to learn that an average of 47,820 fires occur each year due to electrical failure or malfunction, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Due to these electrical fires, 455 civilians lost their lives and over 1,500 were injured.
“U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 47,820 reported home structure fires involving electrical failure or malfunction in 2007-2011. These fires resulted in 455 civilian deaths, 1,518 civilian injuries and $1.5 billion in direct property damage.”
Not only are you putting your family at risk when electrical safety standards are not met, you are also putting your first responders at risk as well. Therefore, be sure to follow these basic fire safety tips in your home and allow Bates Electric to stop by for a $25 safety inspection.
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Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
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Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
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In homes with small children, make sure your home has tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles.
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Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.
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Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
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Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
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If outlets or switches feel warm, frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuits, or flickering or dimming lights, call a qualified electrician.
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Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp’s recommended wattage.
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Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas.
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Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) should be installed in your home to protect electrical outlets.
Don’t let your family become a statistic, let Bates Electric stop by for a $25 home inspection. Give us a call at 937-681-0606 to set up your safety inspection today.