Electrical Fire Safety Tips - How To Prevent Electrical Fires At Home

• 
• 
• 
  • HOLMES APPROVED PRODUCTS

    Products that enhance the durability, safety and performance of your home. Explore Mike’s product picks to get the job done right the first time.

    View Products
• 
  • MIKE HOLMES INSPECTIONS

    A variety of home inspection services by certified home inspectors using the best equipment. Add-ons such as mould and radon testing also available.

    Don’t know which inspection service to book? Call us at 1-888-563-5699

    View Site Books Home Agents Essential Home Inspection Services Franchise Info Extended Home Inspection Buyers FAQ Premium Home Inspection Sellers
• 
  • HOLMES APPROVED HOMES

    We have formed partnerships with builders across North America who build it right the first time. This means a durable, safer, longer lasting home. Find a builder in your area who is building to Mike’s standards.

    View Site Main Our Program Contact Approved Builders Find a Builder Renovators Builder Blogs

Make It Right® ×

• Home

• Meet The Holmes Family
  • Mike Holmes
  • Mike Holmes JR
  • Sherry Holmes
  • Holmes Foundation
  • Make It Right® Charity Awards
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • News | Press
• TV Shows
  • Where to Watch Holmes Classic Shows
  • Holmes Family Rescue Season 2
  • Holmes On Homes: Building A Legacy
• FInd Expert Advice
  • Home Renovation
  • Home Safety & Maintenance
  • Bathroom Renovation
  • Kitchen Renovation
  • HVAC and Indoor Air Quality
  • Electrical Safety
  • More Expert Tips
• Podcast
  • Episodes
  • Holmes on Homes Podcast Expert Advice
• Contact
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter

• Home
• tv show
• approved products
• Mike Holmes Inspection
• Approved home

Stay Up To Date With The Holmes's Tips & News

Subscribe to get the best home reno and maintenance tips, advice, and most inspiring home improvement ideas from the Holmes Family.

First Name* Last Name* Email* Leave this field empty if you're human:

No, thanks

Electrical Fire Safety Tips – How To Prevent Electrical Fires At Home

By Mike Holmes

Mike’s Advice / Home Safety & Maintenance

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 @ 8:33am

1K1KShares

The Dangers Of Electrical Fires

20 percent of all fires in Canada are due to electrical fires. In the US there are more than 24,000 electrical fires annually. 

That’s a lot – too much. They’re preventable if the right pros are brought in at the right time.

Faulty wiring is the number one cause of electrical fires. Sometimes fires happen because of poor workmanship. Other times it’s just wear and tear. But you need to know the warning signs.

Watch out for these Electrical Fire Warning Signs

• Flickering/dimming lights and light bulbs
• Breakers that always trip
• Fuses that always blow
• Faulty extension cords
• Old space heaters
• Appliances that have a burning smell when they’re on, including the lights in a room
• Discolored wall outlets
• Electrical outlets that spark
• Faulty electrical appliances
• Outlets and light switches that are hot when you touch them 
• A wall is abnormally hot 
• Outdated wiring
• Loose plug retention in outlets – Do your cords stay plugged in?

They’re all signs that tell you something may be wrong with the electrical system in your home.

The longer you wait to get it fixed, the greater the risk for your home to start an electrical fire.

Electrical currents generate heat and over time that heat can cause the conductor (wires) to expand and contract. This expanding and contracting can loosen the connection and once it’s loose, the electricity can arc. 

When arcing happens the potential for an electrical fire is huge.

5 TIPS TO PROTECT AGAINST ELECTRICAL FIRES

Tip 1 – Use Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters

The first way we can prevent electrical fires caused by an electrical arc is the use of Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI). An AFCI is a circuit breaker or receptacle that detects when electricity flows through the air due to damaged wiring. 

This phenomenon is known as electrical arcing and is a common source of electrical fires in the home. AFCI protection disconnects the power as soon as it detects a potentially dangerous arcing condition.

Before AFCIs were introduced the bedroom was where most electrical fires started. But in 2002 it became code to protect all circuits that feed outlets in bedrooms with AFCIs. 

Due to widespread adoption of AFCIs on bedroom circuits the number of fires starting in bedrooms substantially decreased. Now, the kitchen and bathroom are where most electrical fires start.

It’s code to have AFCIs in the bedroom. But in some states, like Massachusetts, it’s code to have AFCIs protecting all the circuits in a home. I’d like to see this level of protection expanded in all our electrical codes. Why not protect the entire house if we can? It’s a no brainer.

“The kitchen and bathroom are where most electrical fires start.”

Tip 2 – Inspect wiring 

Older homes tend to have mixed wiring. Whenever anyone purchases a home that’s 15-years old or older they need to get a licensed electrician to check out the house—especially if the older home has a finished basement. 

Tip 3 – Breakers trip for a reason

Overloaded circuits. The problem is when an overloaded circuit starts to trip. Homeowners go in and replace a 15-amp breaker with something higher, like a 20-amp or 30-amp breaker. But this doesn’t fix the problem. 

The circuit breaker’s primary job is to protect the wire, so oversizing the breaker will cause the wire to overheat. Before you know it, the wire degrades, and you’ve got a fire.

Overloaded circuits are also a risk like here with this spaghetti wiring. But the risk is less when a 15-amp breaker or fuse protects the circuit.

READ MORE

Electrical Fails, Mike Holmes’ Top 5 Biggest Electrical Fails

Tip 4 – Water/Electricity 

Electrical cords close to a water source are dangerous. Water and electricity don’t mix. We all know that.

Tip 5 – Hire a Pro

Stay away from DIY electrical work. Too many homeowners think they can do their own electrical work. And too many of them do. 

How do you know if everything is up to code? If there’s knob and tube wiring? Or aluminum wiring mixed with copper? Or if the last owners hired someone who knew what they were doing? Always hire a professional.

Visit Find A Local Licensed Electrician | Myhome.eaton.com for a qualified contractor in your area. 

DID YOU KNOW?

An Eaton Licensed Electrician always ensures my home’s electrical is safe and working properly. Looking for a certified electrical contractor to help you with your electrical needs? Go to myhome.eaton.com

Get Yourself A Surge Protector

Having a whole house surge protector will help reduce electrical fluctuations that happen on your circuits and prevent these electrical surges from entering your house to begin with. 

It is so important to do so that all new homes built in the US are now to have surge protection per the latest revision of the National Electrical Code.

Get yourself a surge protector because it’s always better to prevent the surge damage from occurring than it is to replace everything.

RELATED

ALL ABOUT WHOLE HOME SURGE PROTECTORS

REMEMBER

It’s always good to have a fire extinguisher in your home. Electrical fires are known as Class C fires, and so requires a Class C fire extinguisher.

Don’t wait for disaster to strike. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

READ NEXT

• YOUR MAIN ELECTRICAL PANEL EXPLAINED
• 9 SIGNS YOU HAVE HIREDA BAD CONTRACTOR
• All About Electricity: 5 Baby Safety Solutions for your Home

Related Articles

6 Reasons Why You Should...

Cleaning gutters is one of those chores most homeowners dread—and often put off—but it’s...

3 Exterior Home Maintenance Tasks...

When it comes to homes, water is enemy number one, and these 3 exterior home...

Best Gutter Guards for Your...

Properly working gutters are essential for protecting your home from water intrusion — and gutter...

« PREVIOUS How To Level An Uneven Floor NEXT » How To: Improve The Quality of Water Flowing In Your Home

Recent Blog Posts

6 Reasons Why You Should...

Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 @ 11:00am

Cleaning gutters is one of those chores most homeowners dread—and often put off—but it’s an essential part of protecting your home. Installing gutter guards can significantly cut down on...

One of the Biggest Waterproofing...

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 @ 10:30am

If you’ve watched my shows, you know how many surprises we uncover behind the walls. One of the biggest waterproofing mistakes we see on our shows is partial waterproofing. It’s...

Summer Holmes | A 1940s...

Monday, December 22nd, 2025 @ 12:23pm

Sherry Holmes Transforming a 70-Year-Old Cottage Nestled on the charming shores of Saugeen Beach, Ontario, lies a quaint 70-year-old cottage in dire need of a makeover. Sherry Holmes, renowned for...

3 Exterior Home Maintenance Tasks...

Friday, December 12th, 2025 @ 4:41pm

When it comes to homes, water is enemy number one, and these 3 exterior home maintenance tasks will help prevent water damage. Water damage is one of the most costly...

View All Categories >

New on Facebook

Mike Holmes

1 week ago

Washable furnace filters - this will save you $$. Thrilled to partner up with Distinct Air Filters for their reusable filters that capture and eliminate bacteria, mold, allergens, and pollen, ensuring cleaner and healthier indoor air quality.Proudly manufactured in Canada!www.distinctair.ca/ ... See MoreSee Less

Protair-X Air Filter 12x20x1

www.distinctair.ca

Antibacterial reusable furnace filter View on Facebook · Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Mike Holmes

1 week ago

My kids made me try to count how many houses we have fixed and how much $$$ we have spent fixing homes. This was a very special podcast episode we filmed.Watch the full episode - Behind the scenes of Mike Holmes Shows | Biggest Disastersyoutu.be/e4xI2FPouKA ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook · Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Mike Holmes

1 week ago

Any shower area can benefit by adding a recessed wall shelf or shower niche as it provides additional storage space integrated into the overall design of the shower area 🚿 However, the niche must be deep and tall enough to meet your storage needs. ... See MoreSee Less

Maximizing Storage: Tips for a Tidy Shower Space - Make It Right®

makeitright.ca

Keeping your bathroom organized can be a challenge. Here are some bathroom organization tips for a tidy shower space from Mike Holmes. View on Facebook · Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Mike Holmes

1 week ago

makeitright.ca/holmes-advice/home-renovation/3-things-diy-tv-doesnt-tell-you/ ... See MoreSee Less

3 Things DIY TV Doesn't Tell You - Make It Right®

makeitright.ca

What you didn't see on Holmes on Homes and other Mike Holmes shows are the things that DIY TV doesn't show you. View on Facebook · Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Recent Photos

@uniqueflooringgta hard at work, installing this b People often ask me - should I bother cleaning my Discovered during a home inspection by @domusdetec Special thanks to Techo-Bloc for working with us o Waterproofing around this wall to wall niche 👍 #BehindTheScenes Caulking windows seal out leaks, Load More... Follow on Instagram