The Risks Of Electrical Fire According To An Electrician Near Me In | Conway, SC

4/18/2022

Most people don’t expect to have an electrical fire at their home, but each year, there are roughly 50,000 of these home catastrophes. Electrical fires account for about $1.3 billion in property damage annually, not to mention hundreds of injuries and as many as 500 deaths per year. It may be comforting to know that many electrical fires can be prevented with a thorough electrical system inspection. You can search for an “electrician near me in Conway, SC” to visit your home and perform this type of inspection. Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach specializes in electrical system maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. If you have any electrical fire risks, we can spot them and recommend the ideal solution.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Electrical Fires?

To protect your home from an unwanted electrical fire, it’s helpful to know the risks. Some of the most common causes of electrical fires are as follows:

Antiquated Wiring

If your home is more than a couple decades old, there’s a good chance that its wiring is antiquated. Did you know that outdated wiring is one of the chief causes of electrical fires? Keep in mind that today’s new electronics and appliances are NOT designed with antiquated wiring in mind. Your outdated wiring may not have the capacity to support your modern energy consumption needs. Placing a big demand on an outdated electrical system can cause circuit breakers to trip frequently. That’s a sign that your wiring may need to be upgraded. When you search for an electrician near me in Conway choose Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach. We can provide you with an upfront quote for replacing your home’s outdated wiring.

Overloaded Electrical Circuits

It’s never a good idea to overload your home’s electrical circuits. While you may know this to be true, do the rest of the members of your household? It’s not uncommon for teens, for instance, to overload circuits with their devices and gadgets. Plugging in too many cords to one power source is a serious risk. An electrician near me in Conway can confirm the risks.

Also, remember to alert the members of your home that using one extension cord to power more than one electronic or appliance is unsafe. By overloading a circuit, you can wear out its system, which leads to an electrical fire. If your home doesn’t have enough electrical outlets to meet your needs, find an electrician near me in Conway, SC, to add more to your home so that you can meet your electricity needs safely.

Faulty Outlets

Faulty electrical outlets can be a serious fire hazard. Many electrical fires actually begin in electrical outlets. Ungrounded outlets such as those that were common in older homes pose an especial risk. These outlets are more likely to spark, which can lead to an electrical arc and fire. If the wires of grounded outlets loosen, these outlets can also pose a fire risk. Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach can install GFCI outlets that are known to reduce fire risks because they will trip the circuit breaker if there’s a short.

To be safe, routinely inspect your electrical outlets. Do you see signs of wear? If you notice soot around any sockets or switches, you should hire an “electrician near me in Conway” right away to inspect the issue and make the necessary repairs. It’s important to consult with a certified electrician in these matters. They can tighten loose wires or upgrade old outlets to help you guard against electrical fires. Just search for, “an electrician near me in Conway.”

Light Fixtures

Light fixtures and lamps can lead to electrical fires. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize some of the simple risks they take. For instance, installing a high-wattage light bulb in a lamp that isn’t compatible with the wattage is a leading cause of electrical fires. Always use light bulbs that are compatible with your light fixtures and lamps. Additionally, avoid covering any lamps with shades that could be easily flammable.

To reduce the risks of these types of fires, be sure that you check the wattage fixtures before installing light bulbs. Remember to use commercially designed lampshades (not makeshift ones) to adorn your lamps. If your light fixture is getting hot with use, it may require replacement. You can hire an “electrician near me in Conway” to replace your old ceiling and wall light fixtures. Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach charges affordable rates for these and other types of electrical services.

Antiquated Appliances

Vintage and retro appliances are popular these days. In fact, there are many homeowners that operate old refrigerators, lamps, and toasters. Keep in mind, however, that these appliances are likely not up to today’s standards. Old appliances are also likely to have fraying cords or loose wiring that makes them unsafe to operate.

In some cases, you can have these appliances updated with new wiring or you have them inspected to ensure they’re safe for use. Even so, be skeptical about using old appliances, especially when you’re not at home to monitor them. To be safe, consult with an, “electrician near me in Conway.”

Contact Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach for an Inspection

If you want to make doubly sure that your Conway home is not at risk for an electrical fire, invite Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach to perform a thorough inspection of your home’s electrical system. Not every “electrician near me in Conway” has the experience of the electricians at Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach. Our electricians are certified, highly trained, and prioritize safety. Let us inspect your electrical system to ensure that there are no safety hazards present.

If you need electrical service in Conway, SC, rely on Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach. We’re known for our expertise, experience, and fair pricing. Call to schedule your inspection or to place a service call.

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