Every year in the United States thousands of homes are destroyed by fire. Unfortunately, this problem only seems to be getting worse. According to a report recently released by the U.S. Fire Administration, fire departments across the United States responded to more than 412,000 home fires in 2006 – a jump of more than 16,000 fires from the previous year. Many of these fires were caused by electrical problems that could have easily been prevented.
Older Homes At Greater Risks
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Home electrical fires annually cause over 500 deaths, injure more than 1,400 people, and account for $1.4 billion in property damage. The potential risk of a home electrical fire has increased over time with the average home’s life expectancy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one-half of the homes in the United States were built before 1973. This means that the majority of these homes and electrical systems were built prior to the invention of many of today’s common household appliances and standard electronics, including electric can openers, hair dryers, and microwave ovens.
Energy Demands Overburdening Homes
In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that home energy consumption is at an all time high. While the average life span of a home has continued to increase, many of the home electrical systems have not been properly upgraded to adapt to the level of demand as home energy consumption has soared to an all-time high. In short, the increased use of energy in American homes is overburdening many homes and electrical systems, leading to more fire-related injuries and fatalities.
Fire Safety Checklist
As a part of Fire Prevention Month this October, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has partnered with fire safety organizations across the United States to help homeowners identify and correct electrical fire hazards in their homes. ESFI is providing homeowners and occupants with a room-by-room checklist outlining simple steps to help you to identify and to correct fire and other electrical dangers commonly found in homes.
Click HERE to view the checklist
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Electrical Fires By The Numbers
In 2006, 412,500 residential fires – the equivalent of one home fire every 76 seconds.
Over the last ten years, home fires have been responsible for more than 30,905 civilian fatalities, 153,400 injuries, and $57 billion in direct property damage.
On average, more than 53,000 home fires each year directly involve an electrical malfunction or issue. These fires cause more than 2,000 deaths and injuries, and are responsible for $1.4 billion in property damage.
If arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) were incorporated into every home, officials estimate that more than 30,000 home fires involving electrical arcing could be prevented.
Sixty-five percent of home-related fire fatalities result from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.