According to research by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), electrical distribution or lighting equipment, including wiring, lighting, cords, and plugs, was responsible for igniting an estimated average of 31,647 reported home structure fires annually between 2019 and 2023. These fires resulted in an estimated average of 425 civilian fatalities, 1,279 civilian injuries, and $1.6 billion in direct property damage each year. Additionally, over 30,000 non-fatal electric shock incidents are reported annually. By taking a few precautions, the risk of electrical home damage can be significantly reduced, ensuring the safety of your family and protection of your property.
In this era of home DIY projects, resist the urge to undertake electrical work on your own. Even if tasks like replacing power outlets or switches appear straightforward, engaging a licensed electrician is the smartest thing to do. It's also important to get household wiring checked by a registered electrician, especially if your house is more than 30 years old.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also recommends inspecting electrical products in your home every six months, checking for electrical device recalls, (opens in a new window) and identifying and following up on all safety concerns. Use this general checklist for all indoor areas of your home to ensure proper electrical safety and fire prevention.
Use this general checklist for all outside areas of your home to ensure proper electrical safety and fire prevention. It's worth noting that few outdoor corded devices, even submersible pumps, are safety-tested for use with people in the water.
Just like all home systems, your electrical system requires regular maintenance and basic understanding. It's important to familiarize yourself with how to find and safely turn off your home's power main in the event of an emergency. Also, fuses in your home's circuit breaker must be appropriately sized for the circuit. An incorrect fuse size can permit excessive current flow, leading to overheating of the wiring and posing a home fire risk.
Circuit breakers must be exercised periodically to make sure they have not become stuck and to keep them in good working order. At least once a year circuit breakers should be turned on and off. Home appliances with compressor motors, such as refrigerators, can be damaged by repeated power interruptions if you don’t turn them off beforehand.
Take these steps periodically to safely exercise your circuit breaker box:
GFCIs are specialized circuit breakers to prevent electric shock near water sources and must function correctly to prevent electrocution. AFCIs are specialized circuit breakers designed to detect electrical arcing that can occur if a wire or connection is compromised. Without an AFCI, such arcing might lead to unnoticed overheating and potentially ignite a fire. Both GFCIs and AFCIs can fail without visible signs, so conducting regular tests to identify a malfunctioning AFCI could be life-saving.
Test all your home's GFCIs and AFCIs monthly using the following steps:
To safely charge an electric vehicle (EV) at home be sure to use a certified charging device and follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Use a dedicated RCD or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet designed to handle the amperage of the charging device.
Here are more electrical safety tips for charging EVs at home:
Homeowners insurance can cover sudden and accidental electrical damage due to a covered peril, such as a lightning strike or an unexpected power surge, or fire damage caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or similar electrical issues, as long as negligence is not a factor and your home's electrical system has been maintained. Electrical systems require regular upkeep just like other home systems and must be updated as needed. Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of their home systems, and it is crucial to address any normal deterioration or amateur DIY projects involving your home's electrical system with the assistance of an electrical contractor before significant issues develop.
There may be additional add-on coverages that can protect your home specifically from electrical problems above and beyond your standard home insurance policy such as Equipment Breakdown Coverage or Service Line Coverage. These endorsements are typically purchased separately and added to your existing policy.
Today's homes are smarter than ever, employing smart sensors that can send alerts to your phone for water leaks or potential electrical hazards the same way a smoke detector can alert you of a home fire. This type of monitoring may become more and more important to Virginian homeowners as data centers find the commonwealth as an appealing location for innovation. The potential for this growing load required of utilities could give communities more need to track the same problematic power surges usually associated with severe weather.
For a small annual fee, smart electrical sensors can track precursors to electrical fires, like micro-arcs and sparks, using advanced machine learning technology. The sensors thereby pinpoint electrical hazards, such as faulty wiring or loose connections. Once a hazard is detected, a real-time alert is sent to the homeowner via an app before they can cause a home fire.
Sources:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/electrical-safety-in-the-home
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/states/virginia