Electrical supplies and electrical maintenance may not be on the top of your list of things to do around the house. Did you know that more than 30,000 houses catch fire annually from electrical failures within the home, according to the National Fire Protection Association? Sadly, a large fraction of the homeowners were not covered by their insurance providers, even with current policies. Faulty wiring is a cause insurance companies use for rejecting claims and is found in the fine print on most policies.
Most electrical fires occur in December, January, and February as extra heaters are in use for winter, even in sunny LA. However, there are several other causes of fire as well. The list below identifies some of these and outlines areas to check and electrical supplies needed in your home.
Wiring
Any home older than 20 years really needs a good check from top to bottom. Think about appliances and how much they have changed. With the additional functionality these appliances require more electricity to run. Only a short while ago, one television serviced the home. Today there are multiple TVs as wells as multiple computers and devices that continuously charge batteries. Older wiring is unable to handle the elevated capacity needs. Outdated breaker boxes should be replaced and only those breakers that pop when overloaded should be used.
Light Fixtures
Yes, fires have begun by using a bulb that is rated higher than what the lamp can handle, and every bulb should be checked in your home. When making a list for your electrical supplies, be sure to add light bulbs, and replace those that are improperly used.
Outlets / Extension Cords
Outlets are often the culprits for electrical fires. During the plugging and unplugging of devices, sparks may fly. That is a sure sign they should be replaced. And when a plug is yanked out of the outlet, it can weaken the wiring inside.
Extension cords are for temporary use. If needed for longer periods, then more outlets should be added to the room. Space heaters should always be used at an outlet and not on an extension cord. They simply use too much current.
Electrical Supplies
Your neighborhood store, Tashman Home Center, is conveniently located in West Hollywood and has all your home improvement needs including electrical supplies. Electricity can be dangerous, so take care when checking wires and replacing them. Use only certified materials and practices and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice.
Most importantly, keep yourself and your family safe from electrical accidents and house fires. Update any old wiring or circuits in your home. Moreover, here are five tips on how to prevent electrical fires.
Tashman Hardware – Your Fire Safety Headquarters
At Tashman Home Center, we have what you need for your electrical safety needs, including batteries, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, GFCI outlets and many other goodies. Your can either stop by Tashman Home Center (7769 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046) or shop for your fire safety needs online at TashmanHomeCenter.com. And, if you need advice on what to get, we have an experienced and knowledgable staff and we’d be happy to help you with any of your questions regarding electrical fire safety.