Causes and Prevention of Electrical Fire

Causes and Prevention of Electrical Fire Points : causes and prevention of electrical fire, causes of electrical fire, prevention of electrical fire Causes of Electrical Fire

1. Misuse and poor maintenance of lighting.
2. Overloaded circuits and extension cords.
3. Incorrectly installed wiring.
4. Improper plugs, switches and outlets.

Prevention Of Electrical Fire

1. When buying electrical appliances, look for products that meet the appropriate standard for safety.
2. Routinely check your electrical appliances (especially the high-amperage ones, such as heaters), including their wiring, plugs etc. Check for loose and poor + connections.
3. Check and make sure that the power cords are capable of carrying the electric current flowing through. Power cords which comply with appropriate standards should have markings indicating the current that can be safely carried.
4. Plugs should match outlets. Don’t force power plugs into wall sockets if they don’t fit correctly. Don’t allow any plugs to fit loosely. Poor contact between plugs and sockets can cause arcing, leading to a serious fire hazard.
5. Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old, or damaged appliance cords immediately.
6. When inspecting power plugs sockets and electrical adapters, look carefully for any “burn marks”. These are signs of overheating.
7. Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them.
8. Avoid using several high-amperage appliances on the same circuit.
9. Check and replace any appliances or equipment if the item causes any electrical shocks (even a very small one), overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.
10. If a fuse blows, don’t just replace it. Find out what causes the circuit to overload and correct the problem. Determine the cause of an overload before resetting a circuit breaker.
11. Never pinch an electrical cord against walls or furniture.
12. Keep electrical appliances away from any water or wet condition; pay special attention to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
13. Never allow children to play with or around electrical appliances such as space heaters, irons or hair dryers.
14. Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items far away from all heaters.