Fire Inspectors Urge Residents to Pay Attention to Electrical Safety this Winter

As of December 8, Michigan had experienced 93 residential fires with fatalities. In fact, multi-fatality fires have jumped 78 percent from a year ago. The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society (MFIS) is urging residents to pay extra attention to electrical safety indoors this holiday season.

Holiday time is typically more prone to fire accidents, but this year more and more people are working from home and students are doing classwork virtually, prompting increased use of various electrical devices and charging stations. MFIS cautions that many may have unknowingly overloaded outlets and power strips and damaged extension cords by pushing them under rugs or chairs. Add holiday decorations to the mix and the risk of electrical fires, shocking incidents and electrocution can become increased. "COVID-19 has kept a lot of people confined and numerous electrical devices are being plugged in everywhere," says Kyle Svoboda, MFIS Executive Board President and Plainfield, Michigan Fire Department District Chief. "When you add on various holiday decorations and lighting, problems can occur. Electrical safety needs to be a top priority to help prevent electrical incidents and house fires."

As far as holiday lights and decorations, Garden City's Fire Marshal Brian Finneren says, "If you're leaving the house or going to sleep, they should be shut off or unplugged." He adds that space heaters are frequently a cause of house fires and says they ought to be kept at least three feet away from anything combustible or flammable, such as curtains. Finneren say high-amperage appliances such as space heaters and fans are best plugged directly into the wall, not into a power strip. "We like to encourage people not to overload circuit strips," he says, adding that it's best not to plug too many devices into one spot in the house.

As precautions, MFIS suggest the public inspect all electric cords and holiday lights for signs of wear and tear. If cords are frayed, have bare wires exposed or broken sockets, it's time to toss and replace them. Use extension cords properly, never overloading them, and never runt them under carpeting or rugs.

Examine appliances as well, checking for worn cords and plugs.

Another home hazard to consider is arcing, which occurs when sparks are created when electrical connections are lose or engaging or disengaging. "When you plug or unplug a device it can create an arc, which is a spark, and if it's near anything that's flammable, it's possible it could start a fire," says Finneren-and that could include a Christmas tree. According to the National Fire Protection Association, arcing was the heat source in three of every five home electrical fires from 2012 to 2016.

Prevention is key. "A smoke alarm is critical in the home, the new fire and building codes require one in each bedroom, one on each floor," says Finneren. "They're designed to wake you and you should check the batteries twice a year; we prefer the lithium 10-year smoke detectors." He adds that the state of Michigan encourages people to close bedroom doors when sleeping, as it compartmentalizes the home and keeps a potential fire from spreading.

Svoboda says, "We really want people to take a few minutes this year to walk around their home and look for overloaded outlets, damaged extension cords under couches or rugs, or worn out holiday lights, so they can be safe this holiday season."

If you have questions or concerns about fire safety, contact your local fire department or check the National Fire Protection Association website at http://www.nfpa.org.