Electrical Fires

On an annual basis, 485 Americans lose their lives to electrical fires in a place of residence. In addition, 2,305 more are seriously injured and burned in fires. Some of the fires are caused by misuse by those who end up injured but many more are caused by electrical system failures, appliance defects, poor wiring, and overloaded circuits.

Many older buildings have very old electrical wiring that is really not designed to handle the number of uses Americans have come up with for electricity. This means that in many old buildings, the wiring can short out or just stop working at any time, resulting in a buildup of electricity in the wires. The buildup of electricity causes the wiring to become hot, which can easily spark a flame in an old, dry building’s walls. Electrical wiring is such a problem that a third of all urban residential electrical fires stem from this cause. Many of the fires that are due to wiring could have been prevented if the wiring had been maintained better or inspected more frequently.

Overall, electrical fires are quite dangerous. They are most commonly started in the bedroom but can occur in any room. Appliances like electric stoves, ovens, TVs, hair dryers, and even heating systems can all cause an electrical fire in a dwelling.

Extension cords are another huge culprit in electrical fires. These items, while helpful and useful, can become frayed or damaged with time. When the casing becomes frayed, it no longer insulates the outside from the electricity anymore. This allows sparks and heat to be emitted, which can cause an electrical fire. For this reason, it is very important not to run electrical cords or extension cords under rugs and carpeting. Any frayed cord should be replaced immediately.

Contact a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured due to the faulty wiring in an apartment building or condominium building, contact the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130.