The National Fire Authority is concerned with the rise in property fires. This after NFA attended to nine fire incidents this month. The total number of fires to date stands at 92.
NFA CEO Mr Jone Koroi said home fires continues to be a growing concern for NFA. The Authority’s statistics reveal 64 percent of fires occurring between January to April 2010 were electrical related.
“People are simply not heeding NFA’s advice on fire safety preventative measures,” Mr Koroi said.
“Fire safety is everyone’s concern. Everyone needs to assist in the prevention of unnecessary fires and protection of our community from any fire damage.”
Some of the most important things everyone needs to know and remember when dealing with electricity at home are:
Electrical Wiring
? Most electrical fires 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.
? Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running of cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
Home Appliances
? Home appliances that are often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves, ceiling fans, air conditioning units, ovens, dryers, televisions and radios.
Safety Precautions
- Routinely check the electrical wiring for your property including appliances.
- 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.
- Whey buying electrical appliances look for products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.
- Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.
- If an appliance has a three-prong 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.
- Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.
“You can prevent fires by following simple fire safety rules and precautions,” Mr Koroi advises.