Electric @ Home

Electrical problems are a common cause of fires in the home – but they don’t have to be.

An average of nearly 48,000 U.S. house fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction are reported annually. The result: roughly 450 civilian deaths, 1,500 civilian injuries, and $1.5 billion in property damage.

About half of these fires involve electrical distribution or lighting equipment. The remainder are caused by equipment like fans, washers, dryers, space heaters, and air conditioners.

If you live in an older home, you know they’re often filled with quirky attributes – some of them not so charming. Case in point: many older homes have electrical problems that aren’t just annoying, they’re downright dangerous.

Sometimes it’s OK to rely on our own gumption to save money. But if you think you’re in over your head – you probably are. Sometimes you have to decide between saving a few bucks and possibly saving a life.