Electrical Services Tips: How to Avoid Electrical Fires | Myrtle Beach, SC

10/18/2020

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Your home’s electrical systems need to be managed and installed properly. Electrical fires happen nearly 51,000 times a year. It accounts for many devastating injuries and millions in property damage. Being mindful of your electrical system needs is a must. Hiring companies like Mister Sparky in Myrtle Beach, SC, the area can prevent electrical fires from occurring. Acquiring professional electrical services is important for updating and repair components of your electrical system to prevent potential electrical fires from breaking out.

Causes of Electrical Fires

Electrical Outlets

Unfortunately, electrical outlets are common causes of electrical fires. It’s also an avoidable one. If you suspect your electrical outlets need to be repaired or replaced you will need to hire electrical services immediately. Your reputable electrician will need to inspect your electrical system, outlets, and appliances to determine the cause and solution to this potentially devastating problem.

Electrical sockets that are worn out or improperly installed can lead to a malfunction causing a need for electrical services. One of the biggest culprits for electrical outlet fires are faulty appliances. It’s important to pay attention to the appliance’s directions. Some appliances have specific directions for powering the device. It is extremely important to adhere to these rules. Reading and following the directions for all of your electrical appliances will make your electrical systems function more efficiently and power the device in a safer way. The manufacturers of these appliances include these directions and warnings in order to prevent dangerous malfunctions from occurring.

To prevent fires from occurring due to your electrical outlets you should take note of its condition. If the electrical socket is not fitted correctly to the wall or is loose, you will need to have an electrical service professional to replace or repair the outlet. If you notice the electrical outlet is burnt then you should refrain from using that particular socket until a licensed and trained electrician is able to inspect it and correct the cause of the overheating circuit.

Electricity is hot. The heat and power of electricity must be properly contained and controlled in order to ensure its use is safe. Improper installation and worn-down outlets can lead to an imbalance in the control and contained nature of your electrical system. Hiring professional electrical services to inspect your system on a regular, can help keep your system in balance. A well-maintained electrical system will help keep you, your family, and your property safe while getting to enjoy the luxury of this powerful resource.

Old Appliances

Plugging an appliance into the wrong outlet or extension cord can cause it to malfunction, overheat, and or cause a fire. An old appliance can lead to the same consequences. If your appliances are reaching the end of their lifespan, you must replace it. Having an electrical service technician inspect your machines may help increase the longevity of your appliances, but you will ultimately need to consider completely replacing it.

Old appliances can catch fire due to frayed or loose wiring. Older appliances are sometimes full of highly flammable materials. Updating your appliances can prevent completely avoidable electrical fires due to safer and updated technology. Hiring electrical services to update an old or outdated appliance may not be worth the effort or the cost if it will simply continue to break down. If you are unsure of how many years an appliance has left, you should contact an electrical service professional in order to help you determine how soon you will need to replace it.

The electrical standards and regulations are constantly changing. If your electrical appliances aren’t up to date with your system, you could experience some malfunctions. Older machines and appliances have different amounts of wattage capacities. It’s important to be aware of this. If your electrical system has been updated. You may need to update your old appliances as well.

Outdated Wiring

Outdated or old electrical wiring can lead to electrical fires. This is why having electrical services maintenance annually is important. Your local and trusted electrical service professionals would inspect your system for any old and frayed component. Your electrician will then be able to repair or replace it in order to prevent future malfunctions and electrical fires.

Homes older than 20 years may need some extensive updating and replacing. Modern technologies may not be easily supported by an electrical system this age. An increase in power load may cause older circuits to fray, come loose, or snap. This can cause electrical fires to start easily. Avoid these issues by hiring an electrical service professional to gradually replace your system with an update to code and a safe electrical system.

It can be hard to determine whether or not your older home’s electrical system needs to be updated. There are many signs that could signify it’s time to acquire professional electrical services.

Frequently overloaded circuits and blown fuses are huge indicators that something is seriously wrong with your electrical system. This sometimes indicates that something is wrong with the appliance you are using for that circuit. A trained electrician will be able to determine what is the exact cause of this malfunction and make suggestions on how to proceed.

Other signs your electrical system needs to be updated are flickering lights, power outages, and hot appliances. Being shocked or seeing sparks from an outlet or light switch is also a clear and very dangerous sign that something must be done about your electrical system.

Overloaded Circuits

Overloaded circuits are also major contributors to house fires. Your electrical circuits can only take a certain amount of wattage. If the wattage to an appliance is more than the circuit can bear you may experience a break in the circuit. If this happens, take a deep breath. The good news is your circuit breaker is working as it should be. When a circuit becomes overloaded, it’s the job of the circuit breaker to cut the connection to the circuit. This is a safety precaution put in place to prevent circuits from overloading, overheating, thus causing a fire. Electrical services should be called if you have any concerns about this. 

If your electrical circuits are frequently overloading. You should contact electrical service professionals right away. The best way to prevent electrical fires is to pay attention to the signs and to maintain your property’s electrical system with the help of a professional electrical technician. If you live in or around the Myrtle Beach, SC, area, you should hire Mister Sparky’s electrical professionals for any electrical services.