| In 2009, an estimated 44,800 house fires reported to U.S. fire departments involved some type of electrical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition. These fires resulted in 472 civilian deaths, 1,500 civilian injuries, and $1.6 billion in direct property damage. In 2005-2009, home electrical fires represented 13% of total house fires.
In the past several months, Minquas Fire Company No. 2 had several incidents where a fire resulted from an electrical failure or malfunction. Proper maintenance and inspections of your electrical equipment can decrease the chance of a fire. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released a newsletter listing several ways you can assess your risk and how to make simple changes to reduce the hazards that may be present in an electrical system. See the link below under the title, "Warning signs of electrical dangers" for safety tips.
If you have any questions about whether something is safe or presenting a fire hazard in your business or home, please contact Minquas Fire Company or your borough or township code enforcement officer.
Newsletter: Warning signs of electrical dangers
http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=1770&itemID=42326&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Causes/Electrical/Hidden%20electrical%20hazards/Warning%20signs%20of%20electrical%20dangers&cookie_test=1&sf9065720=1
Report on Electrical Fires: Home Electrical Fires (January 2012)
http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=2439&itemID=55501&URL=Research/Statistical%20reports/Major%20causes/ |
