10 Signs your House can Burn Down

Our families are our most cherished possession and we will do anything we can to keep them safe. That means we need to ensure are home is safe.
Here are few statistics:

Electrical fires account for over 51,000 fires each years and close to 500 deaths and over 1,400 injuries. Electrical house fires account for over $1.3 Billion in property damage.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that electrical receptacles are involved in 5,300 fires every year, causing forty deaths and more than 100 consumer injuries.

Here are ten signs to look for that could lead to an electrical fire:
1. If you smell burning plastic or vinyl or just something electrical burning, call an electrician immediately. You may have caught a break, because most signs of electrical fires are odorless.

2. Having the wrong circuit breaker can be dangerous. A lot of homeowners will replace standard 15-amp circuit breakers with a 20-amp breaker thinking higher is better, but in reality these 20 amp breakers are meant for major appliances. The higher rating on a lower amp circuit will cause overloads and the breaker will not trip. This can seriously increase the likelihood of overheating and a fire.

3. If you have to keep resetting a circuit breaker, it may be because it is overloaded and not working properly. There could also be a short in the wiring.

4. If you live in an older home and you notice certain lights flickering or dimming, especially if you have modern appliances such as microwave ovens and computers, this can be a sign of a short or other electrical issue.

5. When you go to turn on a lamp or other appliance and you hear a buzzing or get a slight shock or buzz, that is a sure sign that something is wrong. Unplug the appliance and call an electrician.

6. Electrical outlets should never be hot or warm to the touch, never buzz, and should never have any black marks on them.

7. If you live in an older home, it is highly recommended to have an electrician inspect the wiring. Over time, wires can come loose and insulation can wear off, causing shorts or a ground.

8. All outlets near sinks, tubs, etc. need to be Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) outlet. These are required by code and are made to trip whenever they come in contact with any water. They are easily identifiable by their square appearance and the two reset buttons in the middle of the outlet plate. If you still have traditional outlets in your kitchen and bathrooms, you need to call an electrician to get them replaced with GFCI outlets.

9. If you have ever had an unlicensed electrician do any electrical work in your house or even have done electrical work yourself, it is highly recommended to have a professional licensed electrician inspect your electrical system.

10. If your house was built in the 1960's or 1970's, there is a good chance you may have aluminum wiring. The problem with aluminum wiring is that expands and contracts with the outside temperature changes. This can lead to loose connections and can be a serious fire hazard. Replacing this wire with copper wiring should be done as soon as possible.

If any of these apply to your home, call a professional, licensed and certified electrician. They can inspect your system and make recommendations to keep your home is safe.