Don’t Overload Your Home

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 47,700 home fires in the U.S. are caused by electrical failure or malfunction each year. These fires result in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage. Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by not overloading your electrical system.

Overloaded Circuit Warnings

  • Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
  • Warm or discolored wall plates
  • Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
  • Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
  • Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
  • Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches

How to Prevent Electrical Overloads

  • Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances
  • A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs – Have a qualified electrician inspect your home na dadd new outlets
  • All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet – Only plug one heat-producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time
  • Power strips add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates more than 50% of electrical fires that occur every year can be prevented by Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs). To learn more about AFCIs, visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International's website.

Only use the appropriate watt bulb for any lighting fixture. Using a larger watt light bulb may cause a fire.

Connected to Safety – Making Your Home Safe & Efficient

Whether you're working from home, learning from home, or just spending more time at home, it is important to make sure your home is electrically safe, secure, and efficient. Learn how the internet of things and smart devices can improve your quality of life and make your home safer.

Home Energy Use

  • Air conditioning – 17%
  • Space heating – 15%
  • Water heating – 14%
  • Lighting – 10%

Energy Efficiency Through Smart Devices

  • Smart refrigerators to optimize temperature
  • Optimize wash/dry times for lowest energy costs
  • Automated HVAC controls
  • Automated lighting
  • Remote/automated outlet controls

Prepare Your Home for Safe and Efficient Energy Use

  • Use a smart plug or power strip to turn off when devices are not in use
  • LED light bulbs last longer than traditional bulbs and use 20-80% less energy
  • Heat only the are you're in with energy efficiency space heaters
  • Utilize home automation to control HVAC and lighting systems while not at home
  • Have an electrician inspect your electrical system every 10 years to avoid overloads

Home Electrical Safety Devices

  • AFCI breakers and outlets protect against arc-faults which could lead to fires
  • Grounded outlets protect against electrical shocks
  • GFCI outlets and breakers are required where water and electricity may come in contact and protect against ground-faults
  • Surge protectors protect against damaging power surges that can destroy electrical equipment