How common are electrical house fires?
How common are electrical house fires?
There are nearly 30,000 electrical fires in the U.S. per year causing an estimated $1.1 billion in property damage and over 300 deaths. The winter months are the most common time of year for electrical fires. Most of these fires are cause by electric heaters.
What are the signs of an electrical fire?
You’ll know if your home is in danger of an electrical fire if you see (or smell) these signs:
- Circuit breaker keeps tripping.
- Persisting burnt smell with no identifiable source.
- Several discolored or charred outlets and switches.
- You have old, outdated wiring.
How do you put out an electrical fire?
Put Your Safety First
- Disconnect the Electricity. First, disconnect the electricity to the source of the fire.
- Use Baking Soda for Small Electrical Fires. If the fire began in an appliance or an overloaded cord, once you’ve unplugged the power source, toss baking soda over the flames.
- Never Use Water While the Power Is On.
How many house fires are electrical?
Facts and Statistics Home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly than 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home structure fires.
Can an electrical fire start if nothing is plugged in?
An outlet can also catch a fire even if nothing is plugged in and this may occur in homes that use aluminum wires. Since an outlet has continuous supply of power through a breaker, this may overheat and catch a fire. Old and worn out appliances can also be the reason behind an electrical outlet fire.
What causes electrical fires in a house?
Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and old, outdated appliances. Other fires are started by faults in appliance cords, receptacles and switches. Running cords under rugs is another cause of electrical fires.
What should you never use to put out an electrical fire?
If an electrical fire happens—and it is small—you may be able to fight it. First, disconnect the electricity if you can do so safely. Importantly, never use water to put out fires involving charged electrical equipment. Instead, use a Class C fire extinguisher; an ABC fire extinguisher should be in every home.
What state has the most electrical fires?
Texas has the most house fires so far in 2018, with 99 house fires.
What do you do if an electrical outlet catches on fire?
If an electrical fire starts
- Cut off the electricity. If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it.
- Add sodium bicarbonate.
- Remove the oxygen source.
- Don’t use water to put it out.
- Check your fire extinguisher.
What kind of Fire is an electrical fire?
1. Fires in which electrical failure or malfunction is a factor contributing to ignition. 2. Fires involving electrical distribution and lighting equipment. These are fires in which electrical distribution or lighting equipment are somehow involved in a fire’s ignition.
What causes an electrical fire in a house?
The leading specific factors contributing to the ignition of residential building electrical fires were other electrical failure, malfunction (43%), unspecified short-circuit arc (23%), and short-circuit arc from defective, worn insulation (11%).
Which is the second leading cause of home fire?
Download the report. Download this fact sheet and print it out. It includes quick stats from the Electrical Fires report. Download the tables. Electrical failures or malfunctions were the second leading cause of U.S. home fires in 2012-2016 (behind fires caused by unattended equipment), accounting for 13% of home structure fires.
Where does the majority of electrical fire occur?
Non-confined home fires involving electrical distribution and lighting equipment most often originated in a bedroom (17% of total), attic or ceiling (12%), or a wall assembly or concealed space (9%). Approximately one-quarter (24%) of these fires occurred between midnight and 8 a.m., but these fires accounted for 60% of deaths.