In the last blog, we talked about electrical fire, one which actually happened and forced nine people from their homes. We’d like to take a deeper look into this kind of situation and talk more about the kinds of things that can cause home fires or electrocution! Whether or not you live in your own home or in an apartment, you really should be aware of some of the problems that are common to structures that are 20 years old or older.
IF you have the older style breaker box where the electric enters the house, there’s a good chance it is the old and dangerous Federal panel or breaker box. These style breaker boxes are inherently unsafe and have been known to cause countless house fires. If you find you have a Federal panel or breaker box, you should not wait to call a qualified electrician to have him come and inspect it. The cost of a new panel box is far less than the cost of a new home or the loss of one or more of your family. This situation is a most serious situation and should not be left unresolved.
When electric current passes through wires and especially through places where one wire connects with another, the wires heat up and expand. Over time, electrical connections can and will loosen from repeated expansion and contraction. When this happens – the connections loosen – a situation sets up that is called arcing. In plain terms, there are electrical arcs going from one wire to the other and these arcs are extremely hot. They are hot enough to set insulation, wall board, and wood on fire…another primary cause of house fires. If you own a home that is 10 years old or older, it is time to get a professional electrician to come in and inspect your wiring connections.
The same is true for apartment dwellers. Apartment buildings, especially older ones, are notorious for having the minimal quality wiring that passed code ‘back then’. The probability is that the code has changed and the apartment is unsafe. You may have to pay for an inspection, but, if the wiring is unsafe and a fire hazard, you can and should make your landlord pay for repair or replacement.
Safety, safety, safety! I know we harp on it in these blogs, but we value our customers, our potential customers…and we want you to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your home is as safe as you can make it when it comes to electricity. Call us at Lon Lockwood Electric or call another professional and certified Electrician for an inspection. Don’t put it off. Please, for your own safety; call as soon as you can.
