Fire Safety Tips

Many home fires can be traced back to electrical problems of one kind or another. Often we will take the electricity that runs through our home for granted and not keep in mind just how dangerous it can be when it is not working correctly or when we do things that help to cause an electrical fire. We need to know what things to avoid and precautions we should take when it comes to handling the electricity in our houses.
Here are just some of the most important things everyone needs to know and remember when dealing with electricity at home:
1. Never use extension cords when it is not necessary.
2. Never run any electrical cord underneath a carpet or rug
3. Make sure any cord you are plugging into an outlet is not damaged. Dry brittle cords that are old or cracked can easily catch fire. Replace the cord as soon as you notice any damage or have a problem with it.
4. Watch out for overloaded circuits. When lights flicker when you turn on an appliance, it could be indicating that the circuit is overloaded and you may need to have the wiring checked out or move the appliance to another outlet if possible.
5. People often do not realize the fire risk of light bulbs. Some light bulbs like the new halogen ones can get very hot. It is important to never allow them to come in contact with anything flammable. Throwing things on top of lamp shades or even stacking items on a closet shelf too close to a light fixture in the ceiling can start a fire.
6. Any appliance that shocks you even a little bit can be a potential hazard.
7. When a light bulb blows out too often, it could be too much wattage for that particular light fixture.
8. Three pronged plugs should only be used into a three holed outlet. Never remove the third prong to force fit it into a two holed outlet.
9. Space heaters are notorious for starting fires. Never place them near anything flammable and make sure they can not be turned over. Buying heaters that shut off automatically are the safest investment.
10. If you have small children, use outlet covers to prevent them from electrocuting themselves. This is one accident you definitely want to avoid.
Just by following these simple rules and precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of having electrical fires in your home. Making sure your smoke detectors are always working properly is essential for fire safety. Keep at least one working fire extinguisher in the home as well. Fire is one of the most dangerous things that can happen in a home. You will rest a lot easier knowing that you are doing all that you can to prevent them.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/