Electrical Fire Safety and Prevention Tips for Your Home

Electricity has brought wonders everywhere and has become an essential part of modern life. It is one of the main sources of power worldwide with a wide range of uses, which include lighting, heating, cooling, transportation, communication and operating machinery and appliances. But while it offers convenience and expands possibilities it also can be a cause of nightmares. When safety measures are not followed through, electrical accidents can happen.

Electrical anomalies are the leading cause of house fires in Australia. It is estimated that 50-60 people die from about 12000 house fires that occur each year in the country. You may not realise it, but the enormous amounts of electricity surging through your home can potentially be life-threatening when you fail to exercise the necessary safety precautions.

Understanding Fire Risks

Electrical house fires are on the rise due to the increased number of electrical appliances we have running in our modern-age homes. Seeing how dependent we are on electricity, everyone at home must be aware of the potential causes of electrical fires and implement safety measures to ensure the safe use of electricity.

The main causes of electrical fires include:

• Old or incorrect electrical wiring
• Old or faulty home appliances
• Faulty outlets 
• Extension cords and circuit overloads

Electrical fires are hazardous because of their source and unique nature, which makes them difficult to extinguish. You can’t put out an electrical fire the same way you would put out a fire pit. While most fires can be put out with water, you should never throw water on an electrical fire because you risk electrocuting yourself and spreading the fire. Always use a fire extinguisher, and if you don’t have one, use baking soda or a heavy blanket to try and contain the fire. Another danger of electrical fires is that it spreads quickly. It takes just under a minute for a small electrical fire to turn into a disaster with irrevocable damage.

Electrical Safety and Fire Prevention Tips

Most electrical fires are preventable by observing proper safety measures. Here are some tips to help you identify a potential fire hazard and help prevent an electrical fire in your home:

Regular Electrical Inspections

Wiring, no matter how good, does not last forever. It is, therefore, important to have your wiring checked by a licensed electrician to identify any possible problems. This is particularly a priority if your home is more than 10 years old. 

Some warning signs that your wiring or electrical system is faulty include:

• Flickering or dimming lights
• Repeatedly blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers
• Switches or outlets that are hot to touch or emit an acrid odour
• Discoloured cords, outlets and switch plates

An inspection from a reputable electrician will ensure that your home wiring system is safe. During the inspection, the electricians will check if your current system meets existing codes and make necessary repairs or replacements to ensure home safety.  

Electrical Switchboard Maintenance

Electrical switchboard maintenance should be part of your property upkeep. It is recommended that you get professional switchboard maintenance every 2-3 years and completely replace it if it’s more than 30 years old. The electrical switchboard is considered the ‘brain’ of your home’s electrical system as it houses the circuit breakers that automatically trip to shut down power in case of circuit overloading.

Over time, issues can arise with a switchboard or the breakers can become worn. Performing regular maintenance on these components will address any potential and existing electrical issues. A professional electrical switchboard maintenance checklist will include the following:

• Visual inspection to establish any obvious signs of damage and wear. The technicians will look for loose connections, frayed wires, and corroded components and also ensure all breakers, fuses and switches are properly labelled.
• Repair and replace faulty connections to reduce the risk of electrical faults.
• Test and exercise circuit breakers to ensure they are working correctly.
• Clean the panels to ensure proper ventilation and verify that the switchboard doors are secure.

Avoid Electrical Circuit Overloads and Use Power Boards Safely

Overloads occur when the amount of electrical current flowing through a circuit exceeds the set capacity. The circuit will overheat and potentially trip a circuit breaker or blow a fuse. This can damage your appliances and equipment and is also a potential fire hazard. Some steps you can take to prevent electrical circuit overloads include:

• Understand your circuit’s capacity
• Avoid daisy-chaining power boards, that is, plugging multiple power boards into each other to create a chain of electrical connections.
• Plug high-wattage appliances into a dedicated circuit that can handle their electrical load.
• Spread out your electrical usage across multiple circuits
• Consult an electrician to determine if your current electrical system meets your needs or if there is a need to upgrade to improve the safety and reliability of your home electrical system.

Fire Safety Devices

Ensure to have your fire prevention and safety devices always on standby. Consider installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to alert you of the initial signs of a fire. Place these devices where fires are likely to occur and away from obstructions. Other safety devices include surge protectors, dry powder or carbon dioxide extinguishers and Residual Current Devices (RCD), which automatically shut down electricity if there is a fault.

For a professional assessment of your current home electrical system, don’t hesitate to contact Astley Electrical. We offer approved and certified electrical services to ensure your home is secure and free from electrical hazards.