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Electrical Fire Safety

Electricity helps make our lives easier but there are times when we can take its power and its potential for fire-related hazards for granted.  

Electrical malfunction is the leading cause of home fires year after year. Here is everything you need to know about protecting your home and your family!

Home Electrical Fires - Did You Know?

  • There are more than 45,000 home electrical fires every year
  • About half of these involve lighting equipment and home electrical wiring
  • Home electrical fire deaths peak between midnight and 6 a.m.
  • Peak months for electrical fire deaths are December through March

Important Safety Tips

  • Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, space heater, or microwave) directly into a wall outlet at a time.
  • Extension cords should only be used temporarily. Have an electrician install additional wall outlets where you need them.
  • Never use an extension cord with a heat-producing appliance.
  • Don’t overload extension cords or wall outlets.
  • Check your electrical cords. If they are cracked or damaged, replace them. Don’t try to repair them.
  • Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture.
  • Electrical work should only be done by a qualified electrician.

Downloadable Resources

Quick Tips to Share

Share these graphics with your family and friends to spread the word! We encourage you to print these and also share on social media.

An infographic about being fire smart with home electricity, tips to prevent electrical fires, logos of U.S. Fire Administration and NFPA.
An infographic with fire safety tips regarding electricity use at home.
Safety message in Spanish about keeping flammables at least 3 feet from heat sources.
A safety message advising to keep items away from heat sources to prevent basement fires.
A safety message about not overloading power strips, advising the use of ones with overload protection. There's a graphic of a power strip.
Visual aid instructing to not overload extension cords in Spanish
Visual aid instructing to not overload extension cords
Safety message in Spanish advising to plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet, not using an extension cord. Includes logos of FEMA and USFA.
An infographic advising that major appliances like refrigerators should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, not via an extension cord.
Visual aid for checking electrical cord damage
Visual aid for checking electrical cord damage
Public service ad on preventing dryer fires by cleaning lint filters and yearly vent ductwork, with logos of FEMA and US Fire Administration.
Safety message: Plug air conditioners directly into wall outlets to prevent fires; avoid using extension cords or power strips.
Safety message: Plug air conditioners directly into wall outlets, not using extension cords or power strips to prevent fires.
An infographic about being fire smart with home electricity, tips to prevent electrical fires, logos of U.S. Fire Administration and NFPA.
An infographic with fire safety tips regarding electricity use at home.
Safety message in Spanish about keeping flammables at least 3 feet from heat sources.
A safety message advising to keep items away from heat sources to prevent basement fires.
A safety message about not overloading power strips, advising the use of ones with overload protection. There's a graphic of a power strip.
Visual aid instructing to not overload extension cords in Spanish
Visual aid instructing to not overload extension cords
Safety message in Spanish advising to plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet, not using an extension cord. Includes logos of FEMA and USFA.
An infographic advising that major appliances like refrigerators should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, not via an extension cord.
Visual aid for checking electrical cord damage
Visual aid for checking electrical cord damage
Public service ad on preventing dryer fires by cleaning lint filters and yearly vent ductwork, with logos of FEMA and US Fire Administration.
Safety message: Plug air conditioners directly into wall outlets to prevent fires; avoid using extension cords or power strips.
Safety message: Plug air conditioners directly into wall outlets, not using extension cords or power strips to prevent fires.