Dangerous Assumptions About Electrical Fires

Approximately 51,000 fires annually in the U.S., resulting in over $1.3 billion in property damage, are caused by electrical problems. Many policyholders misunderstand how these fires start and what puts their homes and lives at risk.

Here are the most common misconceptions about what is causing these fires and how you should address the risks.

Dangerous Assumption 1:

"If I have GFCIs and circuit breakers, they will catch all of my electrical problems."

Circuit breakers and GFCIs are critical for home safety, but they are designed to detect sudden surges and short circuits, not hidden electrical faults that typically degrade over time before sparking a fire.

Studies by the U.S. Fire Administration show that these electrical fires originate from micro-arcing, aging connections, and other low-level faults that will not trigger GFCIs, AFCIs, or breakers. Often, problems quietly build up behind walls and within appliances, making them difficult to detect.

GFCIs and circuit breakers are important parts of a complete safety strategy, but they are not a substitute for regular inspections and safe usage.

Dangerous Assumption 2:

"New homes that have passed inspections don't have electrical fire risks."

Older homes with aging wiring and newer homes with more technology, improperly installed wiring, or manufacturing defects in modern appliances are equally likely to have an electrical fire.

A study of Ting data (a device you plug into your home which monitors your circuits for problems) reveals that 30% of electrical fire hazards originate in devices and appliances within the home itself, regardless of the building's age. And 30% of these hazards are caused by dangerous power conditions from the electric utility company, which are also largely independent of home age.

Experts suggest that homeowners hire an electrician to perform an inspection every three to five years. If your home is 25 years old or older, schedule one every two to three years. It is also important to ensure you don't overload circuits or extension cords (remember, one extension cord should never be plugged into another).

Dangerous Assumption 3:

"I'll see or smell signs of an electrical problem before a fire starts."

Electrical fires do have a particular smell as they start - usually the smell of the plastic coating on wires melting, and there are other telltale signs like flickering lights and audible arcing sounds. But many electrical fires start in hidden places and present no signs until you smell the smoke.

Because many electrical fires start from problems that get progressively worse over time, you should look for these wiring issues in your home:

• Arcing sounds (sizzles, pops or crackling noises that occur when electricity jumps across a gap between two conductive points. If you hear this sound, turn off the power to all affected circuits and call an electrician immediately).

• Frequent breaker trips

• Flickering lights

• Discolored outlets

• Warm outlets

• Lights dimming unexpectedly

• Overheating or bad connections

Early detection tools, like smart sensors and professional monitoring, can catch hidden hazards before they escalate. The Ting sensor, for example, detects the vast majority of electrical fire hazards and prevents over 80% of electrical fires that might otherwise occur.

Monitoring your systems, scheduling regular inspections, and installing detection tools significantly reduces risk and provides peace of mind.

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Sources: Plugged In Electrical, David Williams Electrical, Insurance Thought Leadership