Each year, there are thousands of fires across the US caused by electrical issues, many of which result in the destruction of property, possessions, serious injuries, and death in extreme cases. Once the fire settles, homeowners often face unprecedented losses, tough insurance procedures, and little help. 

Electrical fire claims are not easy to handle correctly in New Jersey, and residents often require the help of a professional fire claims adjuster, like those at New Jersey Fire Claims. The worst part is that all of this can be easily avoided because most electrical fires are preventable. 

By ensuring the safety of your home’s electrical systems, appliances, outlets, etc, you can prevent an electrical fire from causing you loss and suffering altogether. 

Avoid Electrical Fires in Your New Jersey Home 

Many different electrical issues may lead to an electrical fire. Here are some key ways to avoid them. 

Things to Check 

There are several things to keep an eye out for and check regularly. For example, electrical outlets that heat up, have scorch marks, or fuses that frequently blow are all signs of electrical issues like loose wiring that can cause electrical fires. 

Any loose or poorly wired plugs, especially with visible wiring are also a fire hazard. You must also make sure you are not overloading your power outlets. If there are multiple appliances connected to a single outlet, extension, or adaptor, you need to disconnect and distribute the load to another outlet, to avoid sockets from overheating. 

Moreover, you need to check all the wires and cables in your home and make sure there is no fraying or damage along their lengths. If you find frayed, exposed, or damaged wires, you need to disconnect them immediately and replace them at the earliest. 

Often, cables and wires that run under carpets and rugs are overlooked. So, make sure you check them thoroughly. Similarly, you need to make sure wires are not near heat sources, fire sources, or water sources. 

Electrical Appliances 

You need to make sure your electrical appliances and their outlets are away from liquids. For appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, make sure the plugs and sockets are away from water. 

If you have any damaged appliances, do not use them until they are repaired or replace them entirely. Moreover, you need to make sure your electrical appliances are not left on overnight with the exception of fridges and freezers that are designed to run overnight. 

Other appliances with heavy motors like washing machines, should be professionally serviced at least once a year. Lastly, teach your household about microwave safety and how they should never put metal containers, utensils, or anything with a metallic finish inside the microwave. 

Outdated Wiring 

The electrical wiring system of a home typically lasts around 30 to 40 years. Unfortunately, most older homes in the US are using wiring that was installed over 50 years ago, including many older homes in New Jersey. 

If your wiring has not been replaced in 30 years, is damaged, or is outdated, you need to replace it as soon as possible. If you are unsure about the age of your wiring system, look for frequent circuit breaker trips and fuse blowouts. 

These incidents and excessive dependency on surge protectors and extension cords are a sign of outdated wiring that could lead to electrical fires. 

However, the best solution is to get a professional electrician to inspect your home’s wiring system to make the necessary repairs and replacements. 

Other Safety Measures 

Other safety measures you should take include: 

• Installing fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms where required 
• Creating an escape plan, evacuation routes, and practicing evacuation drills regularly. 
• Calling an electrician to inspect your breaker panel and correct and replace any damaged parts 
• Using only quality electrical products, wires, and components 
• Installing Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) to detect any arc faults in your home’s electrical system. 

Conclusion 

Making sure your home’s electrical system is in good working condition is perhaps the best way to prevent an electrical fire. These are just some key ways to avoid electrical fires in your New Jersey home, and there are many more that we can discuss another time. 

For now, follow the precautions mentioned in this post to prevent electrical fires from harming your home, property, possessions, and household. If an electrical fire does occur, do not waste time and evacuate immediately before calling the authorities. 

Once the matter resolves, call your insurance company and file an electrical fire claim to recoup your losses. We highly recommend consulting a trusted professional fire claims adjuster from New Jersey Fire Claims to get your deserved compensation and make the entire process less stressful. 

If you want to learn more about avoiding electrical fires, electrical fire claims, or the best fire claim adjusters, please visit our website today.