More than 480,000 house fires were reported in the United States in 2013, according to the National Fire Protection Association, resulting in over 2,800 deaths and more than 14,000 injuries, not to mention more than $9.5 million in property damage. A house fire is reported on the average once every 85 seconds.

A fire can escalate from a spark to a raging blaze in just a matter of minutes. Since it can start behind the walls without being detected until it gets out of control, an electrical fire is especially dangerous.

Unlike storms or other emergencies, fires often leave families with little time to prepare and evacuate the building—so it’s important to stay protected against some of the most common causes. Some of the biggest reasons for household fires are related to electricity, including:

Fortunately, there are many measures you can take to protect yourself and your household or business from a catastrophic electrical fire. One of the most important tips we can give you is to be very careful about who you have work on your electrical circuits and wiring. To avoid an electrical fire, only allow a certified electrician to install new wiring and/or work on your outlets, circuits, or electrical appliances. During your day-to-day routine, stay weary of any open flames, whether on your gas stove, a candle, or a cigarette.

Of course, even the most careful household or building can face an electrical fire. It’s important to have a working smoke detector in place in the event of an emergency (we can help!). You should also devise an evacuation plan and make sure that each family member or employee knows what to do if you have a fire.

Another way to prevent an electrical fire is to stay current with electrical maintenance. At Kolb Electric, we employ only skilled, licensed electricians to work on your wiring. We want you, your home, and your office to stay safe, so we’re careful to send out the best electrician for your particular job.

For more tips on electrical fire prevention or to get top-notch electrical services for your home or building, call us at 877 287-1179. We’ve been providing top-notch installations and maintenance work to Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC home and building owners since 1925.

One of the things that makes electrical troubleshooting so difficult is the fact that your electrical system is largely behind the scenes. Located behind your walls and in your ceiling, many issues will not manifest until they become very serious. As a result, it can be very easy to ignore electrical problems until they come to a point where they can no longer be ignored. To combat this, especially if you live in a n older home, you should have an electrician in Santa Monica inspect your electrical system regularly. By doing so, you can avoid many issues that result from an aging home and electrical system.

In addition to having a regular inspection, you should also educate yourself on the early signs of electrical issues. If you notice any of the below, make sure that you get in touch with a Santa Monica electrician right away. It can save you significant time and money if you take care of the issue early on, rather than when it becomes a real problem.

Lights Dim Unexpectedly

Do you have lights that dim whenever large appliances, such as your air conditioner cycles on? If these high-demand appliances are not on dedicated circuits, then they could be causing electrical issues within your home.

No GFCI Outlets

According to most local building codes, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet is required in all areas that are frequently wet. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and garages. If you do not have these, call The Electric Connection or click here.

Ungrounded Outlets

Older homes were often equipped with outlets that do not accept three-pronged, grounded plugs. This is a very strong indication that your electrical system is not grounded. If you have an ungrounded electrical system, then you could be exposing yourself to unnecessary dangers every time you use your electrical system. Have someone inspect your system and provide the proper grounding if necessary.

One of the best opportunities to save money is to convert Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium High Mast lights over to LED. A typical high mast light consists of a tall pole, 50-150 tall and contains multiple fixtures attached to the pole, typically 4 to 12. The lower poles may be equipped with 400W Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium bulbs, the taller poles typically are installed with 1000W Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium bulbs.