Electrical problem sparks fire in Nevada home

Nevada Daily Mail

An electrical short apparently was at the root of a small structure fire in a Nevada home over the weekend.

According to a press release from the Nevada Fire Department, firefighters responded to a report of a house fire at 228 N. Washington, Nevada, and found a haze of light smoke in the house. An investigation led firefighters to a bedroom closet, where a small fire was located and extinguished.

Two breakers had been tripped, and the home's occupant reported to firefighters that the light in the closet had been shorting out and arcing when turned on. Some clothing and other items on a shelf in the closet had been burned, and there was charring around the light fixture and wiring in the attic space. Firefighters said the arcing had apparently ignited a plastic bag containing clothing. The fire was limited to the closet area, and there was minimal damage to the structure.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 1999-2003, electrical distribution and lighting equipment were involved in an estimated 19,100 reported home structure fires per year. These fires resulted in 140 civilian deaths, 610 civilian injuries and an estimated $349 million in direct property damage per year.

Most often, fixed wiring, switches and receptacles are the primary culprit, accounting for 45 percent of electrical fires in the home.

Here are some tips on electrical safety from the NFPA:

* Replace or repair loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices.

* Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.

In homes with small children, unused wall sockets and extension-cord receptacles should have plastic safety covers.

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

* Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into an outlet.

* Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.

If outlets or switches feel warm, shut off the circuit and have them checked by an electrician.

* When possible, avoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle.

* Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage.