Electrical hazards cause thousands of fires every year. Most of those fires are preventable; all it takes is some awareness of warning signs such as high incidence of power outages; blown fuses; lights that flicker or dim; outlets that are discolored, warm to the touch or give off sparks or buzzing sounds; and appliances that overheat.

Extension cords should not be used for permanent wiring. All valuable appliances—TVs, stereos, VCRs and computers—should be plugged into surge protectors. Make sure all electrical cords are in good condition—no exposed wires or cracked insulation.

Kitchen and Basement

There are several safety precautions to follow in these areas of the home. They include:

• Small appliances not in use should be unplugged.
  
• No more than one appliance should be plugged into the same outlet.
  
• It is a good idea to install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in kitchens and bathrooms. GFCIs are fast-acting circuit breakers that can sense small changes in electric current.
  
• Don’t forget to check the condition of the cords on the washer, dryer and refrigerator.
  

In bathrooms, unplug hairdryers, curling irons and electric shavers when they are not in use. Portable space heaters should be unplugged immediately after use and kept a safe distance from combustible materials.

In living rooms and bedrooms, if you use halogen lamps, make sure they have metal safety covers and are not susceptible to tipping over.

Never run electrical cords under throw rugs.

Electric blankets should be placed on top of bed linens where they won’t overheat—never underneath.

Make certain light bulbs don’t exceed the wattage of light fixtures.

If you have a power outage and have to resort to candle light, be careful. There has been an increase in the number of fires caused by candles left unattended near things that burn, such as curtains or paper.

Large three-wick candles are particularly dangerous. The three flames generate a surprising amount of heat and are more likely to ignite other materials accidentally.

Check your home right now to see what you can do to make it less of a fire hazard. Please call your insurance agent if you have questions about your homeowners insurance. TPW