Pull The Plug On Potential House Fires

In today’s world we have so many things we need to plug in. From everything to Fridges, to phone chargers keeping our electronics running is important. But things can go wrong. Things can short, arc, and start a fire. Learning the correct saftey around your home and plugs is important. This week were going to help give your the best tips to help keep your home protected, and your outlets working!

1. Plug vs. Cord

It’s a habit many of us have: reaching for the cord and tugging on it to unplug a device.

* The Rule: Always grasp the plug head itself to remove it from the outlet.

* The Danger: Pulling by the cord puts massive tension on the internal copper wires and the connection points inside the plug. Over time, this causes internal fraying. Which can lead to excess heat from the cord which can eventually melt insulation.

* Our Advice: If a plug is unreachable, and you need to unplug something by pulling the cord. Make sure you don’t pull with a sudden jolt, and pull softly, that can help prevent internal fraying.

2. Watch where you run your cords

It might look cleaner to run a long extension cord under a decorative rug, or carpet but it’s a major fire hazard.

* The Rule: Keep cords in the open where air can circulate around them. And don’t put anything heavy/sharp on top of them

* The Danger: Cords generate a small amount of heat. When trapped under a rug, blanket, or pillow that heat can’t dissipate. And on top of that walking over a rug that hides a cord crushes the insulation, to the copper to fray, leading to arcs and fires. And when you rest really heavy objects/ furniture, it can destroy the insulation faster and can even cut the cord, also leading to fires.

* Our Advice: If you find yourself needing to run a cord under a rug, or something heavy it’s a sign you actually need an additional wall outlet(s). Give us a call at 801-472-5735 and we can come and install those extra outlets, and help you prevent and trip-fire hazard.

3. The "Unwind" Requirement

If you only need five feet of a twenty-foot cord, it’s tempting to leave the rest coiled up in a neat circle.

* The Rule: Always unwind extension cords completely when they are in use.

* The Danger: Coiled cords act like an inductor or a heating element. The electromagnetic field and the concentrated heat can melt the plastic insulation right off the wire, causing a short circuit.

* Our Advice: People are often shocked to learn that a coiled cord can actually catch fire even if it isn't overloaded. We always recommend buying the right length for the job to avoid the 'spool' effect. But if you do happen to have more wire then you need. Make sure you unspool it all the way and just prevent any tight coils of wire.

4. Check for Fraying and Damage

Before you plug anything in, give the cord a quick "once-over" with your eyes.

* The Rule: If you see exposed copper, or "kinks" that won't straighten out, throw the cord away.

* The Danger: Damaged insulation is a recipe for a shock or a spark. Electrical tape is a temporary fix, not a permanent solution for a compromised wire.

* Our Advice: If any of your cords are damaged just throw them away. The 15$ -150$ cost for a brand new cord isn’t worth the risk of a house fire or Shock.

Inside of a Copper Wire

5. Right cord for the Right Job

Not all cords are created equal. Using a thin "lamp cord" for a space heater is a recipe for disaster.

* The Rule: Check the gauge/Size of the cord. A lower gauge number (like 12 or 14) means a thicker wire that can handle more power.

* The Danger: Using a smaller cord for high-wattage appliances causes the cord to overheat rapidly. And can actually in some cases burst into flames.

* Our Advice: if the cord feels warm to the touch while in use, unplug it immediately. It’s the wrong Cord for the job.

Stay safe out there! Proper cord management is one of the easiest ways to protect your home and family from electrical hazards. If you need any more electrical help, feel free to call us at 801-472-5735 and we would be happy to help you with any of your electrical needs.

JOKE TIME: Where do pirates get their hooks?…………. Second hand stores!

—Horizon Electric