Local Expert Promotes Home Fire Safety and Prevention in May
T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric urges Hudson Valley homeowners to protect their families by learning more about the most common causes of electrical fires in the home
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., May 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- May is National Electrical Safety Month and T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, a BBB A+ accredited business and recipient of more than 1,000 5-star consumer reviews, encourages homeowners in the Hudson Valley to learn about the most common causes of electrical fires and how to prevent them.
There are 45,000 electrical home fires every year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Among all causes of fire, electrical fires cause the most damage – as much as $6 billion in property loss. Only cooking- and smoking-related fires cause more deaths.
"An electrical fire can happen so quickly and cause a lot of damage in just a few minutes," said Tommy Webber, owner of T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric. "That's why it's important to put safety measures in place that will reduce the risk of a fire in the first place. Preventing electrical fires starts with some simple best practices that you and your family should learn and remember, like the proper use of extension cords and portable heaters. But the DIY approach has its limits – any electrical work should always be conducted by a trained and licensed professional."
Here are five leading causes of electrical home fires, according to the USFA, and how to prevent them:
- Faulty outlets and appliances: Time and use create wear and tear on wall outlets and appliances. Watch for frayed cords and have your sockets examined regularly, Webber says.
- Lighting: Make sure the bulbs in your lighting systems don't exceed the maximum recommended wattage, and have any older or antique lights inspected and upgraded or replaced as necessary.
- Extension cords: Extensions cords are a temporary solution. Have an electrician install more wall outlets if you need them. Don't plug more than one appliance into an extension cord at a time, and replace a cord that shows signs of fraying or other damage.
- Space heaters: Never run a space heater unattended, and keep the area around the heater free of any flammable material like rugs, upholstered furniture or clothing.
- Wiring: In older homes, it's imperative to have all the electrical wiring inspected by a professional frequently. Repair or replace any wiring and connections that are damaged or outdated. In newer homes, less frequent but regular inspections are required. Always have the wiring checked if you're adding or replacing a major appliance like a washing machine, oven or refrigerator.
While taking preventive measures to avoid home fires is best, Webber says homeowners should also be prepared in case of a fire emergency. For essential fire preparedness, install smoke detectors on each floor of your home and test the batteries every month; install a home sprinkler system if possible; and prepare and practice a fire escape plan for you and your family.
"Being aware and paying a little extra attention to potentially dangerous situations is the most important step," Webber said. "But don't think that it can't happen to you and your family. All it takes is a few seconds, and in today's busy world it's easy to get distracted. Prevention should be your top priority, but you want to be ready for a worst-case scenario if it happens."
For more information on National Electrical Safety Month, visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International: www.esfi.org/program/national-electrical-safety-month-314.
To learn more about electrical safety and T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric's full line of services, please call 845-288-2777 or visit www.twebber.com.
About T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric
T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric is a family owned and operated home services company serving the Hudson Valley area, including Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Orange, Ulster and Rockland counties. A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, T.Webber has been the company of choice for residential service, repair and installation for nearly 30 years. Tom Webber founded the company in 1989 with the vision to exceed customer expectations and provide exceptional service with integrity, competence and objectivity with every service call. The company slogan, "We keep your home running right," is the T.Webber commitment to deliver exceptional turnkey home solutions to Hudson Valley homeowners. T.Webber provides timely, same-day service for plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, well system, water quality, bathroom remodeling, and sewer and septic repairs. For more information, call 1-845-288-2777 or visit http://twebber.com/.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
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SOURCE T.Webber Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric
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