According to the National Fire Protection Association, 47,700 home fires in the U.S. are caused by electrical failure or malfunction each year. These fires result in 418 death, 1,570 injuries and $1.4 billion in property damage. Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by not overloading your electrical system.
Overloaded Circuit Warning Signs
- Flickering, blinking or dimming lights
- Warm or discolored wall plates
- Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
- Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
- Cracking, sizzling or buzzing from receptacles
- Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles or switches
How to Prevent Electrical Overloads
- Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances.
- A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets.
- All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat-producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time.
- Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet.