Whether we are watching television, charging our devices, doing laundry, or heating or cooling our home, we are constantly using electricity. We rely on electricity for nearly all of our needs. Yet electricity can be very dangerous if standard precautions are not taken. If you need a Frederick County electrician to ensure your safety from a home electrical fire, Tim Kyle electricians can help.
Home Electrical Fires
Electric shock and electrical fire are two major risks associated with electricity. Therefore, it’s important for homeowners to know how to avoid them. Here are a few basic tips:
- Unplug your appliances when you are not using them to prevent them from overheating.
- Do not use extension cords as a permanent solution; they are meant to be temporary solution and can heighten your chance of an electrical fire.
- Do not overload outlets.
- Have your home’s wiring assessed by a reliable electrician, especially if you know it is outdated.
Unfortunately, even with certain precautions taken, fires still happen. So, it’s essential to know what to do if an electrical fire does occur.
- Avoid throwing water on a home electrical fire because it conducts electricity and you can be electrocuted.
- If the cord of a device that is on fire, unplug it immediately.
- If you have a fire extinguisher that is designed for Class C fires, pull the pin, stand back while you aim the nozzle at the fire, squeeze the operating level, and then sweep the nozzle from side to side to put the fire out.
- Use baking soda if you do not have a fire extinguisher. It contains sodium bicarbonate, the same ingredient in Class C fire extinguishers, so it will stop the flames.
- If you cannot extinguish the fire, leave your home and call 911.
Tim Kyle: Frederick County Electrician
Most homeowners rely on electrical systems all day and night. This is why at Tim Kyle Electric, we recommend regular inspections of your systems. Time wears down even the best appliances, and we certainly don’t think that you should wait until an electrical fire to realize that yours are out of date. Signing up for a Tim Kyle Electrical Home Safety Service Plan ensures you priority service, an annual safety check, and extended warranties on any new equipment we install. Contact us today to learn more.