How Long Does It Take for an Electrical Fire To Start?

While electrical fires might appear to ignite in the blink of an eye, in reality, they can take months or years to develop. As these potential disasters brew, they often offer warning signs that signal impending doom. Join us as we illuminate the many ways electrical fires can start and what you can do to prevent them.

Signs that you’re at risk for an electrical fire

Certain warning signs can indicate that you’re at elevated risk of an electrical fire. Here are a few sights, sounds, and situations to look out for:

Faulty wiring

If you notice that the wires in your house look worn, frayed, or damaged, it’s time to consider replacing them. Faulty, outdated, or improperly installed wiring can create sparks that easily ignite flammable materials, such as insulation.

Your circuit breaker keeps tripping

Occasional circuit breaker trips are common and nothing to worry about, but if it keeps happening, it could indicate that your wiring needs to be updated. In this situation, frequently blown fuses may be telltale signs that too much electrical current is feeding into your control room.

Flickering light bulb fixturing

Sometimes, a flickering lamp is caused by a bulb that’s nearing the end of its life. However, when a fresh lightbulb doesn’t solve the problem or it’s happening with more than one fixture, that strobing effect could signal loose connections or other wiring issues that pose a significant fire hazard.

Charred outlets

Discolored electrical outlets can indicate that excessive heat is building behind your faceplates. Both the outlets themselves and the appliances they power may feel warm to the touch, but that’s not always the case.

Additionally, you might smell a burning or chemical odor or hear a distinct buzzing sound coming from your appliances. When this happens, turn off the breaker for that area and call a qualified electrician right away.

You hear or see sparks from your outlets

Although it’s common to see your outlet sparking when plugging in devices, excessive sparks can lead to major fire damage. You might also hear a popping or sizzling sound from the outlet or fixture, which may indicate overloaded circuits or an inappropriate amount of electricity surging through your wires.

Timeframe for different kinds of electrical fires

Different types of electrical fires can erupt over various time frames. Here are some of the ways these events can occur:

Seconds

An electrical arc or spark can ignite nearby combustible materials in an instant. If your outlets are receiving excessive voltage, this could be an immediate fire risk.

Minutes

Electric space heaters can keep your home comfortable during winter months, but these devices can pose a major risk when it comes to fire safety. A space heater left on a carpeted floor can easily tip over, lighting natural and synthetic fibers ablaze in a matter of minutes.

Hours

Extension cords and surge protectors can cause fires when heavily overloaded. Never rely on these items for long-term use or appliances that need a lot of power. It may only take a few hours for these cords to cause a fire.

Years

Old wires placed along wooden beams can slowly smolder over months or years until they eventually catch fire.

How to prevent electrical fires

While it may feel like an electrical fire is imminent, there are many things you can do to reduce your risks and improve your home’s fire safety. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Avoid plugging into too many outlets

Overloaded outlets are a leading cause of electrical fires. Many people aren’t aware of the energy their devices require or the limitations of their outlets, surge protectors, and extension cords. When in doubt, unplug unnecessary appliances to limit the load on your system.

Have an up-to-date fire extinguisher on hand 

Another critical element of your home’s safety is keeping a valid fire extinguisher on hand. Ensure it’s in an obvious location, such as a utility room or under your kitchen sink, and that everyone knows where to find it. Of course, these items do expire, so set a reminder to purchase a new one before you need it.

Have routine checkups with an electrician 

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is certainly the case for fire protection. A qualified electrician can inspect your electrical equipment for signs of wear and overuse. Routine maintenance like this can help you avoid an emergency or worst-case scenario.

Young Cardinal Electric helps maintain your home and business for the safety of all

Young Cardinal Electric is here for all your residential and commercial needs. Whether you need preventative maintenance or an emergency electrician, we’re only a phone call away. Contact us today to learn more about fire suppression for your home.