December is the Most Dangerous Time of Year for Electrical Fires

01 Dec December is the Most Dangerous Time of Year for Electrical Fires

Kingsport, TN

There are more than 358,000 house fires every year in the United States, and these fires occur more frequently in December than any other month on the calendar. Are you at risk? Today on the blog, we examine some of the leading causes of home fires in December and how you can prevent them.

The 3 Main causes of December house fires

Heating equipment: This is the No. 1 cause of home fires in the months of both December and January. Have your HVAC maintained and inspected once every six months. Make sure your chimney is cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Keep anything flammable a minimum of 3 feet away from any heating equipment, such as furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters. Never leave a portable heater untended or in an unoccupied room.

Cooking: Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires year round and this threat does not go away during the month of December. Never leave something unattended on the stove. Keep your cooking area clear of any possibly combustible materials. Make sure your stovetop is wiped down and clean at all times. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove, wear short, close-fitting clothing when you cook and make sure to keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen at all times.

Electrical: Electrical fires are the third-leading cause of home fires and responsible for 30% of all home fires between the months of November and February, according to the National Fire Protection Association.  Try to keep only one heat-producing appliance plugged into a receptacle outlet at any one time. These appliances include a coffee maker, toaster and a space heater, just to name a few examples. Make sure you do not have electrical cords running across doorways or underneath carpets. If you experience frequent blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers, have your wiring investigated by a trained professional electrician who is licensed, bonded and insured.

Christmas decorations: Decorations for the holidays pose their own set of fire hazards. If you have a real Christmas tree, ensure that it is placed firmly in its stand and always has plenty of water to prevent it from drying out. Check the water level daily and add more as needed. Never leave a lit tree unattended and make sure it stays at least 3 feet away from any other source of heat inside your home. Never use Christmas lights with frayed or exposed wires, and refrain from running cords under the carpet. Always unplug the tree when you go to bed or leave the house. Follow this same rule with lit candles.

Home electrical inspections and repairs in Kingsport, Tennessee

Many homes – older ones, in particular – do not have wiring systems capable of handling the voltage load of modern appliances and devices. Christmas decorations add to the burden placed upon your electrical system. At Thompson Electrical Service, we want you to enjoy the holidays and do so safely. That’s why we offer inspections, repairs, panel upgrades, the installation of additional outlets and more as part of our program of residential electrician services. If you are interested in our services, schedule a complimentary consultation today with one of our electricians. Just call (423) 343-5726 to reach our office.