May 17th, 2012
This source is brought to you by the US Fire Administration.
Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 280 Americans each year and injure 1,000 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures, but many more are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.
The Problem
During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 26,100 fires and $1 billion in property losses. About half of all residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring.
December and January are the most dangerous months for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increases in lighting, heating, and appliance use. The bedroom is the leading area of fire origin for residential building electrical fires. However, electrical fires that begin in the living room/family room/den areas result in the most deaths.
The Cause
- Most electrical distribution fires result from problems with “fixed wiring” such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords (such as extension and appliance cords), plugs, receptacles, and switches also cause many home electrical fires.
- Light fixtures and lamps/light bulbs are also leading causes of electrical fires.
- Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance, and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
Safety Precautions
- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
- Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
- Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.
- Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
- Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory.
- Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
- If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
- Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.
- Use safety closures to “child-proof” electrical outlets.
- Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
- Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
Tags: electronic fire safety, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, fire prevention, Fire Safety Education
Posted in Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Uncategorized
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January 18th, 2012
This information is brought to you by the United States Fire Admin.
A Factsheet on Home Electrical Fire Prevention
Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 310 Americans each year and injure 1,100 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures, but many more are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
The Problem
During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 28,600 fires and $1.1 billion in property losses. 53% of residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring.
December and January are the most dangerous months for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increases in lighting, heating, and appliance use. The bedroom is the leading area of fire origin for residential building electrical fires. However, electrical fires that begin in the living room/family room/den areas result in the most deaths.
The Cause
- Most electrical distribution fires result from problems with “fixed wiring” such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords (such as extension and appliance cords), plugs, receptacles, and switches also cause many home electrical fires.
- Light fixtures and lamps/light bulbs are also leading causes of electrical fires.
- Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance, and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
Safety Precautions
- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
- Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
- Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.
- Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
- Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
- If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
- Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.
- Use safety closures to “child-proof” electrical outlets.
- Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
- Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
Tags: electrical fire prevention, electrical fire tips, electrical fires, electrical safety, electronics fire safety, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education
Posted in Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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November 16th, 2011
Did you change back your clocks for daylight saving time earlier this month? This time of year also marks an important safety milestone.
As our nation moved back to standard time, the U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to mark the occasion as a time to test your home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if more than one year old.
Every day in the United States home fire deaths occur and working smoke alarms significantly increase the chances of surviving a deadly fire. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in a home that can alert people to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for fire and smoke.
In addition to changing smoke alarm batteries, Albemarle recommends the following steps to protect lives:
• Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when changing the batteries.
• Check alarms once a month using the test button.
• Replace the entire alarm if it is more than 10 years old or does not work properly when tested.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of a home, including the basement, and both inside and outside sleeping areas.
• For the best protection, equip a home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Make sure everyone in a home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond to an emergency.
• Finally, prepare and practice an escape plan so everyone can get out of a home safely should there be a fire. Plan to meet in a place a safe distance from the fire in a spot easily spotted by first responders.
For more clock changing, fire safety tips, click here.
Tags: Albemarle, electronics fire safety, fire prevention, fire safety, fire safety checklist, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, smoke detectors
Posted in Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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September 27th, 2011
As summer turns to fall, it’s a good idea to refresh your memory on fall fire safety tips. Some safety tips are the same regardless of the time of year, but many safety concerns are seasonal, particularly those that involve keeping your home warm.
Clearing water from sprinkler systems, getting the furnace fixed, and repairing damaged windows help to keep a home running through the winter months. Many people don’t realize that homes are at a greater risk of fire in the cooler months. The following fall fire safety tips can help home owners prepare their home and protect their families.
- Change the battery in smoke detectors when they changing your clocks during Daylight Savings. Changing the batteries every six months prevents detectors from going dead.
- If you have a chimney, clean it! Creosote is a deposit from smoke that can build up in a chimney and can start a fire.
- Space heaters can also be a fire hazard, it is recommended to create a safe area around the heater. Any furniture should be at least three feet away.
- Trees should be a minimum of 30 feet away from the house and branches and leaves should be cleaned up to limit fuel for a fire.
For more info on fire safety, check out:
Home Fire Sources at Its Worst
Tags: cooking fire safety tips, electronics fire safety, fall fire safety, fire escape plan, fire extinguisher, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, home fire safety
Posted in Burns, Children & Fire Safety, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved, Uncategorized
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August 17th, 2011
Fire Related Accident Facts
How Many People Die in US Home Fires? One life Lost is too Many.
In 2009, U.S. fire departments responded to 362,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 12,650 civilian injuries, 2,565 civilian deaths, $7.6 billion in direct damage.
- 92% of all civilian structure fire deaths resulted from home structure fires.
- Cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.
- Kitchens are the leading area of origin for home structure fires (37%) and civilian home fire injuries (36%).
- Only 4% of home fires started in the living room, family room, or den; these fires caused 24% of home fire deaths.
- 8% of reported home fires started in the bedroom. These fires caused 25% of home fire deaths, 21% of home fire injuries, and 14% of the direct property damage.
- Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
- Home structure fires peak around dinner hours between 5:00 and 8:00 pm.
- Almost two-thirds (62%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
- Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2009, 9 home fires killed five or more people. These 9 fires resulted in 59 deaths.
Fires between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. caused half of home fire deaths. Sundays were the peak day for reported home fires and home fire injuries while fatal home fire injuries were more likely to occur on Saturday.
What are you doing to prevent home fire fatalities?
For more information on home fire safety, view:
8 Questions to Ensure Fire Safety for You and Your Family
Home Fire Sources at its Worst
Tags: Albemarle, cooking fire safety tips, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, home fire safety
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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August 11th, 2011
Essential oils, which are easily combustible, are increasingly used in aromatherapy and other complementary treatments. The issue of these combustible oils came to light when a beauty therapy room at Swindon College was badly damaged in April after a blaze broke out in a pile of towels.
Fires in tumble dryers, linen baskets and airing cupboards where towels had oil on them have caught fire and fire officers are concerned that incidents in launderettes, salons and homes could have the same cause.
The problem seems to arise when the wash cycle has been set to a cool temperature. When the wash has been at 100 degrees or above, the oil residue is more likely to be safely broken down by the washing detergents.
For more on fire safety at colleges and workplaces, view:
U.S Senate Makes September Campus Fire Safety Month
Fire Safety Tips for Your Workplace
Tags: Albemarle, Burn Institute, cooking fire safety tips, electronics fire safety, essential oils, fire escape plan, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips
Posted in Burns, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Saefty Awards, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Conferences & Events, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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June 12th, 2011
How much do you know about fire safety? Grab your family and find out together. This fun quiz will help you understand where the fire dangers are in your home, and what you can do to help your family turn your house into a fire smart home.
First, cover the bottom answers,and then write down your answer and compare.
- Kids can cook alone without asking permission? T or F
- Fire is loud, hot and smoky? T or F
- When escaping a fire, crawl on the floor under the smoke? T or F
- Never go back inside a burning building. T or F
- If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll. T or F
- Smoke alarms tell you about fires you may not see. T or F
- Take your time when escaping a fire. T or F
- Always call the Fire Department from home. T or F
Answer Sheet
- False – Always get your parent’s permission before doing anything in the kitchen.
- True – The temperature of fire is over 1,200 degrees and produces a lot of smoke.
- True – Crawl as low as possible to the floor to escape the smoke.
- True – Get out and stay out. Never go back into a burning building.
- True – Remember to stop, drop and roll to prevent skin burns.
- True – Smoke alarms can detect fires long before you can.
- False – Get out of your house as fast as you can.
- False – Call the fire department after you are safely out of the house from a neighbor’s home or cell phone.
For more fire safety tips, view:
Sleepover Fire Safety Checklist for Families
When You Are Away, Are Your Children Fire Safe?
Tags: Albemarle, Earthwise, electronic fire safety, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, fire evacuation plan, fire extinguisher
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Saefty Awards, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Uncategorized
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May 19th, 2011
Flame-retardants are used in many consumer products such as the foams your furniture, drapes, upholstery, electronics and wires in your homes. Without these chemicals, fire related death occur due to rapid-fire ignition and less useful escape time for you and your family. Flame-retardants save lives and property but in the end, what are the consequences for such a controversial chemical? Read full article here.
Tags: Albemarle, burn awareness week, electronic fire safety, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, fire prevention, kids fire safety
Posted in Burns, Children & Fire Safety, Fire Saefty Awards, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Fire safety in furniture, Pets & Fire
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April 28th, 2011
Researchers at Victoria University in Melbourne concluded that 78% of school-aged children slept through a smoke alarm blaring for 30 seconds. The study, published this month in the journal Fire and Materials, asked 79 families to trip their smoke alarm after their child had been asleep between one to three hours.
The group of 123 children — the average age was 9 — was split in two according to which children had hit puberty. It was an intentional division: plasma melatonin levels — melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone, helps induce sleep — decrease in conjunction with puberty onset.
To read the rest of this article from Time, click here.
Tags: Albemarle, Earthwise, electronic fire safety, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, home fire safety, kids fire safety
Posted in Children & Fire Safety, Fire & Smoke Alarms, Fire Saefty Awards, Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips
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April 12th, 2011
About 4.8 million box fans are being recalled by a Pennsylvania company because they pose a fire hazard, the government said. The problem was associated with seven reports of fire — including two house fires and a barn fire — that caused significant property damage, the commission said. No injuries were reported from the fires.
To read more about this recall, click here.
Tags: Albemarle, Burn Institute, electronic fire safety, electronics fire safety, fire escape plan, fire prevention, fire safety, Fire Safety Education
Posted in Fire Safety & Electronics, Fire Safety Devices, Fire Safety Education, Fire Safety Tips, Get Involved
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