What Happens During an Electrical Fire

This is a potential electrical fire waiting to happen |
Call your electrician instead (480) 926-1033

What happens during an electrical fire? What causes electrical fires?
Can electrical fires be prevented?  What are the best safeguards to preventing electrical fires?  There is a simple answer to all of these questions...

What Causes Electrical Fires?

What causes electrical fires? According to the website Fire Rescue 1:
"According to the U.S. Fire Administration, in 2014, electrical fires accounted for 6.3 percent, nearly 24,000 fires, of all residential fires, 11 percent of the fires where someone died and 7 percent of the fires where someone was injured.
The months with the most electrical fires are December and January due to increased use of heating appliances and lights. Most electrical fires start in the bedroom, but the highest number of fatalities occur with fires located in the living room, family room and den.
Related article
Some electrical fires happen because of problems in house wiring or appliance failure, but many occur due to mistakes that homeowners make like overloading electrical outlets or extension cords.
When working with members of your community on fire and life safety, it is important to teach the common causes of electrical fires. Here are the 5 most common causes of electrical fires.
1. Faulty outlets, appliances
Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and old, outdated appliances. Other fires are started by faults in appliance cords, receptacles and switches. Never use an appliance with a worn or frayed cord which can send heat onto combustible surfaces like floors, curtains, and rugs that can start a fire.
2. Light fixtures
Light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs are another common reason for electrical fires. Installing a bulb with a wattage that is too high for the lamps and light fixtures is a leading cause of electrical fires. Always check the maximum recommended bulb wattage on any lighting fixture or lamp and never go over the recommended amount.
Another cause of fire is placing materials like cloth or paper over a lampshade. The material heats up and ignites, causing a fire. Faulty lamps and light fixtures also frequently result in fires.
3. Extension cords
Misuse of extension cords is another electrical fire cause. Appliances should be plugged directly into outlet and not plugged into an extension cord for any length of time. Only use extension cords as a temporary measure. If you do not have the appropriate type of outlets for your appliances, hire an electrician to install new ones.
[VIEW SOURCE]

How You Can Prevent Electrical Fires

The last point in the article excerpt gives you the answer to how to prevent electrical fires.  You can prevent them by hiring a licensed electrician contractor.
Read Our Next Article Here
Dodge Electric
1815 W 1st Ave Suite 119,
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 926-1033
dodgeelectric.com

The Insider's Guide to Electrical Contractors in Mesa

A Licensed Electrician In Mesa, AZ
 is Your Go To Expert for All of Your
Electrical Upgrades | 480-926-1033

Let's say you want to hire an electrical contractor in Mesa.  What do you look for?

The Qualifications of an Electrical Contractor

First off, he should have a license.  Does he have a record at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors?  If not, why? If you have established the fact that they have a record with the ROC, do they have any complaints filed, either with the ROC or some other body such as the Better Business Bureau, review sites, etc.
A complaint is not necessarily a bar to hiring them. Look over the complaint thoroughly. If it is a complaint about the way the electrician acted, that's iffy.  However, if it is a matter of incompetence, go find another qualified Mesa electrician instead of just picking the wrong one.  Next up, look at their hours of operation.

Find an Electrician Who Works With You As Well as For You

If they're only open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and you work those hours then you'd better have someone at the house to let them in to work or take the day off.  Sounds a bit daunting, but under no circumstances, should you try to fix your wiring yourself, and here's why.  You can put your home and in some cases your life in jeopardy.
Simply mixing aluminum and copper wiring together can cause a chemical reaction later on that can cause an electrical fire.  If you mix the wrong gauges of wire together, it can cause a short, or if you put too much on an electrical circuit it can cause a breaker to constantly trip.  We once had a client who added a home office.  He thought that he could do everything from the framing to the wiring.  He did a good job on the framing, to his credit, but the wiring, well not as much.  He was lucky.   All that happened was the breaker tripped, and it shorted out a light switch.  In another time and place however, he could have easily seen an electrical fire engulf his home.
Surprisingly, doing your own wiring yourself doesn't always save you money.  If, for example, you don't know what you're doing, you'll have to pay an electrician to come in and fix the problem.  And you will have ended up wasting money on all of the tools and supplies that you bought.
So be smart.  Do it right the first time.  Hire a licensed electrician in Mesa instead.
Read Our Next Article Here
Dodge Electric
1815 W 1st Ave Suite 119,
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 926-1033
Schedule an Inspection

Hiring A Professional Electrician To Fix Or Upgrade Your Wiring (Conclusion)

Is is Time to Change to LED Lighting? | 480-926-1033

An electrician contractor is someone that you should rely on for any sort of electrical repairs or wiring upgrades.
As we covered previously,while it’s perfectly reasonable to get a second opinion, the one thing you cannot afford to do is ignore the recommendation of the electrician you have hired.

You May Want To Upgrade Your Wiring Even If There Aren’t Any Signs That There Is A Problem

Most of the time you'll probably want your home’s wiring repaired or upgraded is if there are signs that there is a problem. However, there may be times that you decide it’s in your best interest to upgrade your wiring even if there aren’t any obvious signs that there is a problem. Once such situation is if your home has legacy aluminum wiring.
Today, copper wiring is the industry standard for all electrical wiring. Unfortunately, in the past aluminum was a favored wiring material because it was cheaper than copper. Aluminum wiring has two problems, however.  For one aluminum  expands and contracts depending on the temperature, which can lead to frayed and exposed wires. Second, if someone patches your aluminum wiring with copper wiring, then you have a time bomb on your hand.  When aluminum and copper are mixed together, If you have aluminum wiring in your home, then you should probably strongly consider upgrading your wiring.

Make Sure That You Only Hire A Professional Electrician

Another scenario in which you may want to consider having your wiring upgraded even if there isn’t a pressing need is if you are upgrading a lot of the features in your home that are wired in. For example, if you are putting in new lighting, fans, and other fixtures throughout your home, it may be worth the additional expense to go ahead and upgrade your wiring while you are at it. While it will cost more to do this, it will save you money because you will be combining the process of upgrading your wiring and fixtures at the same time, which will save you on labor costs.
Electrical safety should always be the primary motivating factor that drives you if you are deciding to fix your wiring or upgrade your wiring. You need to be safe by having the job done the right way, and you also need to be safe by not attempting to do it yourself unless you are qualified. That means you need a qualified professional electrician contractor, that is licensed, bonded, and insured. Hiring anyone else that doesn’t meet these standards, or attempting the work yourself, could turn out to be a very costly mistake.
So be sure to do some research and take your time.  That way you know you've found the best electrician in Mesa.
Read Our Next Article
Dodge Electric
1815 W 1st Ave Suite 119,
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 926-1033
Contact Us

Hiring A Professional Electrician To Fix Or Upgrade Your Wiring (Continued)

Hiring a professional electrician in Chandler is crucial, both to avoid electrical injury, or damage from bad wiring...

Call Your Electrician in Chandler Instead to Fix Your Wiring (480) 926-1033

How Can You Tell If You've Got Wiring Problems?

As we covered previously, One major sign that you probably have a serious problem is if you ever experience a faint, or not so faint, a shock when you turn on an electrical appliance or switch. If this ever happens then you need to contact a professional right away, and you should also avoid using that appliance or switch until it has been checked out to ensure that it is safe.
One thing you should never see on an electrical outlet is any kind of char or burn marks, and the outlet should never be warm to the touch. These are also clear signs that you need to fix your wiring, and in this case, it’s another instance where you can’t really afford to put off fixing the problem. If you spot any frayed wires or exposed wires, this is also a clear indicator that it’s time to call out a professional. The final major sign you should always be on the lookout for isn’t a sign at all, it’s an odor. If you smell burning of any kind, especially burning plastic, then you need to shut off whatever you think is causing the odor and contact an electrician contractor right away.

Deciding To Upgrade Your Wiring Is A Good Investment

If your home is experiencing any signs that there is an electrical problem you can often get away with just having the problem repaired. This is the less expensive approach, and most of the time it is sufficient to safely address the problem. One thing you should always do when you have an electrician come to your home is actually listen to their recommendations. If they tell you that you need to upgrade your wiring, then you probably do need to upgrade your wiring. Now, if you need to upgrade your wiring this can be a rather expensive prospect, so getting a second opinion may be in order. While it’s perfectly reasonable to get a second opinion, the one thing you cannot afford to do is ignore the recommendation of the electrician you have hired.
So do your homework, and trust your gut.  That way you'll know you've found the best electrician in Chandler.
Continue
Dodge Electric
1815 W 1st Ave Suite 119,
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 926-1033
Contact Us

Hiring A Professional Electrician To Fix Or Upgrade Your Wiring

When the time comes to fix your wiring, or to upgrade your wiring, the only option you should be considering is hiring a licensed, bonded, and insured professional to do it for you.
[caption id="attachment_2270" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call Your Residential Electrician Contractor in Chandler Heights Today | 480-926-1033[/caption]

Signs That Your Electrical Wiring May Need To Be Repaired

The electrical wiring in your house is just like every other part of your home, it needs to be inspected and cared for if you want it to continue to work the way it is meant to work. In order to ensure that your home’s electrical wiring is properly inspected and repaired should repairs be warranted, is to hire a professional electrician. Allowing anyone else to do any type of electrical work in your home could be very dangerous, which is why it should be avoided.
There are quite a few warnings signs that you should be on the lookout for that may indicate that you need to fix your wiring. Electrical safety should always be your main concern in situations such as this, so if you suspect that your electrical wiring may be in need of repair, then don’t hesitate. Call a professional and have them come out as soon as possible to ensure that your home doesn’t have a potentially dangerous electrical wiring problem.
So, what signs should you be on the lookout for that indicate you may need to fix your wiring? One common sign that you may have a problem is if you have lights that dim at times, especially when something else is suddenly needing electrical power. For example, if you have the kitchen lights on, and you turn on the microwave which causes your lights to momentarily dim, then this is an indicator that there is a problem.

Hire a Professional Electrician to Fix Your Wiring

Another sign that you need to fix your wiring is if you hear a humming or a buzzing noise when you turn on a light. This is usually a sign that the light fixture is bad, but it could also indicate that there is a problem with the wiring. One major sign that you probably have a serious problem is if you ever experience a faint, or not so faint, a shock when you turn on an electrical appliance or switch.
If that or any other problem occurs, call a residential electrician in Chandler Heights to help.
Keep Reading...
Dodge Electric
1815 W 1st Ave Suite 119,
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 926-1033
Contact Us

Hiring an Electrician: The Reasons Why (Conclusion)

You want to do some research to find the best electrician in Mesa.

A Residential Electrician is An Expert | 480-926-1033

How Do You Choose the Right Electrician?

As we covered previously, if you lost a member of your family this is the type of tragedy that many people never recover from.  To avoid this, choose the best electrician you can find.
Once you understand the importance of hiring an electrician contractor,‭ ‬it’s just as important that you don’t hire just anyone to work in your home.‭ ‬You need to hire an electrician that you can trust to do a good job.‭ ‬Above all else,‭ ‬you need to hire an electrician that is a licensed,‭ ‬bonded,‭ ‬and insured professional.‭
‬A professional residential electrician with these qualifications will almost always do a better job than anyone that isn’t licensed.‭ ‬They understand that the key to an electrician being successful in the future is ensuring that they have a great reputation. What happens if the residential electrician you hire doesn’t perform up to expectations? ‬

A Residential Electrician Should Have Integrity

Your first step should be to contact them and ask them to make the situation right.‭ ‬In the vast majority of cases, a professional electrician will realize that it’s in their best interest to correct the problem and ensure that you are satisfied with their work.‭ ‬Should they refuse to correct the issues you can always file a complaint with the registrar of contractors,‭ ‬then if need be you can file a lawsuit to recover any financial losses you experienced as a result of their poor work. Hiring an electrician is an investment that is well worth it.

While the idea of saving yourself money by doing an electrical job yourself,‭ ‬or hiring a handyman might seem appealing,‭ ‬it’s not a good idea.‭ ‬Rather than seeing a residential electrician as an expense,‭ ‬you should instead realize that their work is actually an investment.‭ ‬When you hire a professional electrician,‭ ‬you get the peace of mind of knowing that they have done the job the right way.‭ ‬You also ensure that the value of your home will not be affected in a negative way due to substandard electrical work being performed on it.‭ ‬

Ultimately,‭ ‬after considering all of the benefits of doing so,‭ ‬you should realize that hiring a professional electrician for any electrical work you need to be done is the smart move to make.
Read Our Next Article
Dodge Electric
1815 W 1st Ave Suite 119,
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 926-1033
Contact Us

Hiring an Electrician: The Reasons Why (Continued)

An electrician keeps you and your home safe.

A Residential Electrician In Mesa, AZ
is Your Go To Expert for All of Your Business Electrical Upgrades | 480-926-1033

As we covered previously, if you need something simple like a new ceiling lamp put in,‭ ‬or something more complex like rewiring your entire house,‭ ‬the only sensible approach is to hire an electrician to do the job for you.

Hire an Electrician:  Improper Wiring Can Lead to Fires

One of the main reasons that people often avoid hiring an electrician contractor is because they think they can save some money by doing the job themselves. While it is possible that you could save yourself some money by doing an electrical wiring job yourself, it’s also possible that it will end up costing you more money. If you don’t wire an electrical component properly then this will lead to problems. Sometimes those problems can be very serious.   If an electrical component, such as a light switch, isn’t wired properly it can damage the component. That would mean then having to buy a replacement component, then hiring an electrician contractor to install it for you.
If you get really unlucky the wiring mistake could actually damage the electrical wiring in your entire home. Then you are definitely going to need to hire a residential electrician, and it’s not going to be cheap either.  In a worst-case scenario, an electrical wiring mistake can actually lead to a short, that triggers a fire. Obviously, a fire is not something you ever want to deal with. Even if the fire is contained you are still going to be looking at significant damage to your home that is going to be quite expensive to repair. If the fire isn’t contained you could be looking at the total loss of your home and all of your belongings.

It Isn't Just Fire: Electrical Injury is Another Big Danger

While the thought of losing your home and all of your possessions is bad enough, it can still get worse from here. You and your family sleep in your home, so anything you do that increases your risk of a fire should raise some major red flags.
Just think about how you would feel if you tried to save some money by doing electrical work yourself instead of hiring an electrician, then your home caught fire as a result. If you lost a member of your family,  however, this is the type of tragedy that many people never recover from.
So stay safe, and keep your  home safe from fire damage.  Hire a residential electrician today.
Continue...
Dodge Electric
1815 W 1st Ave Suite 119,
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 926-1033
Contact Us