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Appliance and Electrical Fire Safety

It is hard to imagine a home without electricity. We take this utility for granted, but there are fire risks to consider. In 2021, an estimated 24,200 residential building electrical fires were reported to United States fire departments. These fires caused an estimated 295 deaths, 900 injuries and over $1.2 billion in property loss.

Did you know:

Failure to clean (31%) was the leading factor contributing to the ignition of clothes dryer fires in homes from 2018-2020.

Source: National Fire Incident Reporting System

Help increase awareness about dangerous appliance and electrical fires in your community with these messages and free materials.

Messages to share

Click to copy message.

Appliances

Always plug major appliances — refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers — directly into a wall outlet.
Never use an extension cord with a major appliance. The extension cord can overheat and start a fire.
Unplug small appliances when you are not using them.
Keep anything that can burn away from lamps, light fixtures and light bulbs.
Use lightbulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture.
If the appliance has a cracked, damaged or loose cord, replace the appliance.

Electrical: Outlet safety

Do not overload outlets.
Insert plugs fully into sockets.
Never force a 3-prong cord into a 2-slot outlet.
Install tamper-resistant electrical outlets if you have young children.
Replace wall outlets if plugs do not fit snugly.

Electrical: Extension cord, power strips and surge protection safety

Do not overload power strips.
Use power strips that have internal overload protection.
Replace worn, old or damaged extension cords right away.
Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.

Social media graphics and stock photos

social media card: check electrical cords

Pictographs

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate appliance and electrical fire safety messages to high-risk populations.

don't use an extension cord for a refrigerator
plug appliances directly into a wall outlet
Man emptying dryer vent filter.

Handouts

clothes dryer fire safety flyer

Customize with your logo

handout: be fire smart with electricity in your home
handout: prevent home electrical fires

Customize with your logo

electrical fire safety card - front

8½" x 11"; prints 3 to a side, front and back.

Videos

https://youtu.be/qDnj60XYbjk

https://youtu.be/jT4sGkgnFLg