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Ever since electricity was first
introduced in Canadian households, there has been an uneasy
balance between homeowners who appreciate the conveniences it
provides but understand that it comes with some risks.
Electricity can be a potent – and underestimated – fire source.
According to the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal report,
Fire Losses in Ontario 2002-2006, Causes, Trends and Issues,
in 2002 electrical distribution equipment was identified as the
cause of 636 residential structure fires during that time
period, resulting in 49 injuries and two deaths. By 2006, those
numbers were 501 residential structure fires during that time
period, resulting in 28 injuries and five deaths.
In that same report electrical appliances were identified as the
cause of 344 residential structure fires during that time
period, resulting in 20 injuries and no deaths. By 2006, those
numbers had fallen to 309 residential structure fires during
that time period, resulting in 16 injuries with no deaths.
Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more
indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and
appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom
and result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty
electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and
plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many
home electrical fires.
According to the United States Fire Administration, in urban
areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33 per cent of residential
electrical fires. Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced
to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor
maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic
areas. The home appliances most often involved in electrical
fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating
units, televisions and audio equipment.
Since 2003, CSA Group has tracked various benchmarks though it’s
Key Performance Indicators (KPI). In 1994, about 8,100
residential electrical fires were recorded in Canada. By 2001,
that number had dropped to about 7,800. The introduction and
revisions of several CSA standards during that time period have
helped to speed this decrease.
Safety tips for avoiding electrical fires:
- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring;
- Protect all circuits with a fuse or circuit breaker;
- Don't overload circuits or bypass the circuit
protection;
- Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or
damaged appliance cords immediately;
- Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload
them;
- Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and
counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the
bathroom and kitchen;
- When buying electrical appliances, look for products
that bear the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) mark;
- Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical
appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers;
- If an appliance has a three-prong (grounded) plug, use
it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a
two-slot outlet or extension cord;
- Never overload extension cords or wall sockets;
- Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light
switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker;
- Use safety closures to child-proof electrical outlets;
Safety tips for dealing with
electrical fires:
- Never throw water on an electrical fire (water conducts
electricity);
- If an appliance catches fire, unplug the appliance if
possible to do so safely;
To put out the fire, use a
multi-purpose fire extinguisher or throw on baking soda.
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