The Most Dangerous Item In Our Homes...
53% of household fires can can be traced back to electrical problems. Fire deaths are generally higher when portable heaters and other small appliances are used. Many of these fires can be traced back to the misuse and abuse of extension cords.
Extension cords are one of the most dangerous items we bring into our homes. Overloaded circuits, poor maintenance, improperly sized for application, trip hazards and overheating are a few of the many among perils associated with these items.
The attached photo is a classic example why insurance companies classify extension cords as a fire safety hazard. The home owner used an extension cord that was designed and rated for light duty use such as lamps and other "light duty" appliances to run the air conditioner unit. Depending upon the size or tonnage of the unit, these can pull any where from 12 - 15 continuous duty amps which severely overloads the capacity of this light duty cord which is rated for 5-7 continuous duty amps.
For Your Own Safety
• Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
• Frayed or cracked wires cause fires. Replace them immediately.
• Replace any electrical tool if it shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.
• Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters.
• Be mindful of electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Only buy electrical products evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or other Nationally recognized lab.
• Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all space heaters.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.
• Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
• Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.
This posting and the contents herein are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson County TN. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
This posting and the contents herein is the intellectual property of Michael Thornton, CEO of The Complete Group. We provide the highest quality service in the areas of home inspections and videos/photography for the web, corporate, businesses and the real estate industry. Complete Home Inspections, Inc. and Creative Video Concepts serves the Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville and the area surrounding Davidson and Williamson County TN. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Very good data indeed now if people would just head some of the cautions and warnings more of them would be alive today. Thanks
Good morning, Michael.... anything electrical can be very dangerous if it's not up to code, and yet, there are homeowners who continually do electrical work on their own to save paying an electrician....very foolish.
One thing for sure. When a home inspector writes an electrical problem of any type on a Home Inspection Report, it will be in BOLD on the repair list prepared for our buyer with a heading ELECTRICAL DEFECTS - SAFETY.
I've seen some that make my skin crawl just thinking of folks living in the house.
Good morning, Lynn. I have seen things that curl my hair and make me shake my head and thank God that the house didn't burn down...
James. Folks just love to fool with electricity - many pay the ultimate price...
Barbara. I agree. There is a price to pay for being foolish...
Extension cords are the most ill-used things in most houses! I like it when they cut off the ground prong though - it makes things fit together better, unlike your photo.
Great blog Michael!
Safety first, ALWAYS! A fantastic post Michael...congrats on the well deserved feature!
Michael, most homeowners like to do their own thing and i cringe when i go in...just had a foreclosure with a hot tub that needs to be totally change to be safe..such an important post! thanks
Good morning Michael,
This blog serves all of us with great tips to be safe. Thank you!!
Great safety tips Michael.............electrical stuff is nothing to mess around with.................congratulations on the Feature.
Great information here Michael! Oh do I have some ridiculous stories about extension cords!!! Crazy how they are abused used.
I think what you say is so valuable.
One thing that has amazed me is to look at the mess of wires and connections in second world countries and wonder how there is not more fires and tragedies.
Good advice for everyone.
Hi Michael. It is amazing the lack of respect people give electricity.
Perhaps electricity is not an area where a homeowner should be saving $$$ and doing it themselves. . make a mistake and you are homeless
Good Saturday morning. Excellent post and very good advice for every family.
Electric heaters cause many fires during the cold weather months.
Have a great weekend!
Michael this is a message that cannot be repeated enough. Many do not understand "Draw" and using the right equipment. Thanks again!
Hi Michael.
I just shared this post on Google.
Every one needs to knwo about the hazards of a fire. And what causes them.
Very good post.
Best, Clint McKie
Mike,
Good safety tip. I'd be willing to bet that many homeowners aren't aware that extension cords are rated for current.
Rich
Great photo and great post! I am in total agreement - folks do the strangest things with electricity, even though they know it's dangerous.
Wow, now I want an inspector to double check all the electrical wiring in my home...thanks for the info !
Michael...
There was a time when there were not enough outlets in a house and cords were the rule of the day ... and a lot of fires were the result. These days extension card are rarely needed, and should be used with discretion.
Good morning Michael,
Excellent post. Richard is right..these days extension cords are rarely needed in the newer homes and they should be used with discretion. Congratulations on the featured post..well done!!
Michael, all great points for eliminating electrical hazards. I've seen where people have cut off the ground prong to fit into the extension cord.
Excellent post Michael. The picture alone makes me nervous. Thanks for the insight and information.
Thanks for the reminder Michael. While showing tenants studios for rent, I met a guy who's place caught fire from their hand held back massager shorting out and catching the bed on fire.
Only buy electrical products evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or other Nationally recognized lab.
This gave me pause - with so many items being manufactured overseas - you make me wonder about some lights I bought last Fall. Going to check them out for sure.
Sharon
Excellent Michael and congrats on the Feature!
Anyone who has ever been shocked has an instant respect for anything electrical...I have even read articles over the years where professionals have electrocuted themselves while initiating repairs...whoa! Good post
Michael, THE AC???? WHAT are they thinking? Only that yes, the AC runs? Wow...... They're pretty lucky...and then of course there are the trip hazards of using extension cords too.
Good information. It's always sad to hear about electrical fire tragedies. This time of year you hear a lot with the use of space heaters and holiday-related, overloaded extension cords. Thanks for the reminders.
Michael, I am always amazed at the number of appliances I see plugged into one extention cord. This is a safety feature not many homeowners consider so thanks for providing such good information for consumers.
Thanks for this great info!
You mean I shouldn't find what resembles a plate of spaghetti to connect the freezer in the garage. Good information for consumers to know.
Michael, I wonder if it was not for extension cords whether AFCI's would have taken off.
Michael, I saw this twice already every one is re-blogging your blog! Great Job! Have a nice day!
It's amazing what people do with, or try to, extension cords. Congrats of the feature.
Have an awesome weekend!
I have to ditto everything mentioned above; folks need to use common sense. You seldom get a second chance when it comes to fires. There were just two teenagers killed in a mobile home fire in San Antonio; not for sure but I think it was electrical.
Michael, I can remember the octopus ads from the 70's... I guess we do not learn
You make vitally important points in this blog, Michael! We have had a couple of fires in my neighborhood in the past decade. One was definitely an electrical issue. The other was suspected of being so!
Michael, electricity certainly makes our lives easier, but people should also respect it for the danger that it could be and allow people that know what they are doing to work on electrical problems.
Michael - This sounds like good suggestions to try and avoid fires in the home.
Michael:
Do you think it is because people don't really understand the hazard the cords present? Electricity needs to be respected.
Michael- my very good friends lost their house last spring to an electrical fire. Thankfully everyone got out safely including the family dog but it could have been worse.
This is a tremendous list for all of us and our clients. I'm going to check out my house right now!
It is surprising to see this as the most dangerous item in the home. Around the holidays I see extension cords extending into other extension cords. I imagine this is a no-no too.
I love the picture Michael.
You bring up some very important points for the reader.
Michael, I'm surprised that you left out the absolute most dangerous item in a home.
The Owner! (If not always true, definitely true in my case, but that story is for a later time!)
Great information here Michael. Before reading this I thought my teenage daughter was the most dangerous thing in my home! Now I know better!
Great information Michael, the picture really displays a danger that we see all the time.
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Great information Michael, the picture really displays a danger that we see all the time.