Top 7 Causes of Electrical Fires and How to Prevent Them

Every year, more than 50,000 electrical fires occur in the U.S. according to the Electrical Safety Foundation — that’s one fire every 10 minutes. These fires ignite suddenly, spread rapidly, and often cause extensive damage and serious injuries. Understanding how electrical fires start is the first step in protecting your family and home.

What Causes Electrical Fires?

Electrical fires stem from electrical sources or systems and typically occur when components overheat, malfunction, or become damaged. During the colder months, the risk of electrical fires increases due to the widespread use of lights and portable heaters.

Some of the most common causes of electrical fires include faulty wiring, aging appliances, and extension cord misuse. Let’s take a closer look at these hazards and how you can help prevent an electrical fire in your home.

Outdated or Faulty Wiring

Improperly installed or aging wiring is a major contributor to electrical fires. If your home is over 20 years old, the wiring may not have the capacity to handle the demands of modern electronics, putting the system at risk of overheating.

Prevention Tips:

• Inspect wiring regularly: Have a licensed electrician check your wiring every 3-5 years to ensure it meets current electrical standards.
• Upgrade outdated systems: Consider rewiring your home if your system is outdated, especially if you use high-energy appliances like air conditioners or dishwashers.
• Install circuit breakers and GFCIs: Protect against electrical faults with circuit breakers and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
• Repair damaged wiring: Routinely look for signs of wear or damage and call an electrician immediately if you notice exposed or frayed wires.

Overloaded Circuits

Plugging too many devices into a single circuit can easily exceed its capacity, generating excess heat and potentially igniting nearby combustible materials.

Prevention Tips:

• Distribute electrical loads: Spread the use of appliances across different outlets and circuits to prevent overloading one area.
• Limit power strip usage: Check the wattage limit to avoid overloading power strips, and always plug heavy-duty appliances like refrigerators directly into wall outlets.
• Install more outlets: Have an electrician install additional outlets in your home if you frequently use extension cords or power strips.

Damaged Outlets

When a plug doesn’t fit securely into an outlet, it can create a loose connection that causes arcing. This occurs when electrical current jumps between contacts, generating heat and potentially igniting nearby flammable materials.

Prevention Tips:

• Replace damaged outlets: Call an electrician to replace outlets with signs of damage, such as scorch marks, buzzing sounds, or sparks.
• Ensure plugs fit snugly: Avoid using outlets where plugs do not fit securely to prevent arcing and excessive heat buildup.
• Use outlet covers in high-traffic areas: Protect outlets from wear with covers in areas like kitchens and home offices.
• Upgrade outdated outlets: Consider upgrading to tamper-resistant outlets for added safety.

Extension Cord Misuse

Extension cords are a convenient way to power devices that are not near an outlet, but they can also be easily misused. If you have any doubts about whether an extension cord is safe, it’s best not to use it.

Prevention Tips:

• Check the rating: Choose extension cords that are rated for the wattage of the device you’re using.
• Inspect extension cords: Examine cords for cracks or fraying and replace them if they show any signs of damage.
• Keep cords unobstructed: Never run extension cords under rugs or furniture and keep them away from heat sources.
• Use only for temporary power: Avoid using extension cords as a permanent solution and have an electrician install additional outlets if needed.

Defective Appliances

Faulty or poorly maintained appliances and devices can cause fires, with those that draw significant amounts of power being especially at risk.

Prevention Tips:

• Never remove the grounding plug: Keep the third prong intact and ensure the appliance is used with an outlet designed to handle the extra electrical load.
• Check for damage: Look for frayed cords, signs of overheating, or unusual smells and replace the appliance if necessary.
• Disconnect when not in use: Unplug appliances like toasters and hair dryers when you’re done with them, especially before leaving the house or going to bed.

Space Heater Misuse

Portable space heaters are often placed too close to flammable surfaces like curtains, beds, and rugs. Models with exposed coils or poor ventilation are especially dangerous, as they can become extremely hot very quickly.

Prevention Tips:

• Keep proper distance: Maintain at least 3 feet of clearance from flammable items.
• Choose the right model: Avoid coil heaters and instead opt for oil-filled or radiator-style heaters that distribute heat more evenly.
• Turn off when unattended: Never leave space heaters running when you’re out of sight and use models with automatic shutoff features.

Unsafe Lighting Practices

Faulty or improperly installed light bulbs and fixtures can emit excess heat, potentially starting a fire when exposed to combustible materials.

Prevention Tips:

• Check wattage limits: Never exceed the recommended bulb wattage on any lighting fixture or lamp.
• Consider LED bulbs: Opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs that produce less heat than incandescent bulbs.
• Inspect fixtures: Periodically check for signs of overheating, such as discoloration, scorching, or flickering lights.
• Ensure safety certification: Choose lamps and fixtures certified by UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science.
• Keep bulbs clear: Avoid covering lamps or fixtures with cloth or other flammable materials.

Warning Signs of Electrical Fires

While understanding the potential fire hazards in your home is a key part of electrical fire prevention, knowing the warning signs can help you detect a growing threat. Be on the lookout for the following signs:

• Flickering lights
• Frequent circuit breaker trips
• Burning odor
• Buzzing noises coming from outlets
• Hot switch plates
• Discolored or scorched outlets
• Sparks when plugging in appliances

If you notice any of these warning signs, take action immediately. Call a licensed electrician to inspect your home’s electrical system and make any necessary repairs.

How to Prevent Electrical Fires With Ting

Ting combines a smart sensor and expert support to help detect electrical hazards and stop fires before they start. Here’s how it works: 

• Early Detection: A smart sensor monitors your electrical network to help identify electrical hazards that lead to fires.
• Timely Responses: The Ting team notifies you when an electrical hazard is detected and walks you through the next steps.
• Confident Repairs: A Ting-certified licensed electrician will help find and fix the problem, with Ting covering up to $1,000 of the labor costs to repair identified electrical hazards.

As part of our mission to enable peace of mind and financial stability, Westfield is offering a free Ting sensor and three years of service, which includes monitoring for electrical fire hazards and expert support for addressing detected issues, to customers with a homeowners or farm policy.*

Other Electrical Fire Safety Measures

Even with the right precautions, accidents can still happen. Planning ahead is crucial for a quick, organized response. Consider these important electrical fire safety measures:

• Develop an emergency plan
• Install smoke alarms throughout your house
• Equip your home with fire extinguishers
• Keep fire suppression blankets on hand

Safeguard Your Home With Insurance

Knowing how to help prevent electrical fires is a great way to help keep your family and home safe. However, having the right insurance coverage is essential for financial protection. Homeowners insurance from Westfield can help you prepare for and bounce back from the unexpected.

Contact a local agent to begin the quote process today! And if you already have a Westfield homeowners or farm policy, you can sign up for Ting via MyWestfield®.