According to the NFPA:

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 47,820 reported home structure fires involving electrical failure or malfunction in 2007-2011. These fires resulted in 455 civilian deaths, 1,518 civilian injuries and $1.5 billion in direct property damage. Below are some useful tips to help reduce the risk of fire damage and injury.

- Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.

- Avoid using extension cords for extended periods of time, or running them underneath carpets or across hallways.

- Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.

- Follow the manufacturer's instruc...

The general public views a blown fuse or tripped breaker as a failure, when in fact, it is just the opposite. A fuse or breaker is installed to protect the circuitry/wiring and equipment from over ampacity. Ampacity is the technical term for a measure of electrical current and how fuses and breakers are listed or rated. Current is the flow of electrons that creates heat, the higher the ampacity, the larger the current flow and the more heat generated. A fuse or breaker is a mechanical means of limiting the ampacity or current flow to safe guard and limit the amount of heat that can be generated on the circuitry. If a circuit is overloaded – meaning that the equipment and or appliances ...