Major causes of electrical fires

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Electrical fires can be anything from a minor distraction to a major loss.

Electrical fires in your Chicago home or business can be from any of several sources.

• Faulty outlets.  If cords plugged into an outlet falls out easily, but doesn't do that anywhere else, that outlet may need to be replaced.  Over time, like anything else, normal wear and tear can cause failure.
• Light fixtures.  If you use a bulb that needs too much wattage for the fixture to handle, that can cause a malfunction or an electrical fire.
• Appliances.  Appliances sit in the corner, and you really only think about them when you are using them.  When was the last time you checked the cords, tubing, etc?  When was the last time you cleaned behind that appliance (I'm talking to you, dryer)?  Check the cords, and ensure that all appliances are clean of dirt and debris.
• Extension cords.  Just like outlets, normal wear and tear can cause failures.  And people tend to overload extension cords during the winter holiday season.  Know the capacity of that extension cord, and do not exceed that number.
• Wiring.  Wiring in homes >20 years old may not be able to handle the electrical capacity of today's homes.  Today's computers, big screen TVs, microwaves, etc all have more power than their predecessors. Be safe; know how much is too much for the cords, outlets, etc.

If you have suffered an electrical fire, call the clean up experts at SERVPRO Bedford Park/Burbank at 708-430-3600.  We can handle the soot clean up and deodorization!