Nick Markowitz's Fire & Electrical Safety Section

By Nick Markowitz

One cold day Guss and Betty, who lived in an old, drafty house, decided to use an electric space heater that a friend had given them, but they failed to consider the fire hazard they were about to create.

In order to make the heater work, Guss had to bend the plug prongs to fit the old wall receptacle. Turning it on, the old couple sat down to enjoy the warmth. After about fifteen minutes, the heater stopped working--along with all the lights in their living room.

Going to the basement, Guss found that a 15-Amp fuse had blown in the fuse box. He automatically replaced it with a 20-Amp fuse and headed for the stairs. When he got to the top he noted that the lights were back on and the heater was blazing away just fine. He told himself that everything was just fine now.

Gus and Betty again enjoyed the warmth of their new heater about a total of 15 to 20 minutes when the heater stopped and the lights went out again. Going to the basement again, Guss found that the 20-Amp fuse he had just installed had blown again. Frustrated with this problem, he inserted a 30-Amp fuse, assuring himself the old wiring was in fine shape, for he had installed it himself many years ago.

This time the heater and lights continued to operate just fine. Then, about 2:30 a.m., the fire department received a call from one of the old couple's neighbors--the house was on fire. It seems that the heater was rated at 2,000 Watts, which means it required about 17 Amps to operate on a 120-VAC electrical circuit. Sadly, because of the old balloon construction, the house burned extremely fast, and Guss and Betty never made it out alive. This is another tragedy accident that could have been avoided had Guss called an electrician at the first sign of trouble.

It is unfortunate that in this country so many people die in residential fires because of faulty electrical wiring. Many of these deaths could be avoided if people practiced common sense. In the case of Guss and Betty, if they would have taken the time to read the instructions that came with the heater, they would have known that their heater required a well-wired, 20-Amp, dedicated electrical circuit. To help assure this, the manufacturer equipped the heater came with a plug that could only be used with a 20-Amp receptacle. However, Guss modified this plug so it would fit the 15-Amp receptacle, which was already overloaded.

Use the following tip list to spot electrical problems before they develop into home fires. If you spot any of the following in your home, be safe, not sorry--call a qualified electrician.

• The lights dim for several seconds when an appliance turns on.
• The light bulb in a lamp appears dimmer than usual.
• From time to time fuses blow or breakers trip for no apparent reason.
• Upon examination, most of the fuses in your fuse box are 30 Amp. and the wire is no bigger than number 14 or 20 gauge.
• Extension cords are in common use because there are not enough receptacles to go round in your home.
• One or more of the electrical switches or receptacles feel warm.
• Light bulbs frequently burn out in your home.
• The outside wire feeding power to your home or outside building shows signs of fraying or the insulation hangs loosely on the wire.
• The fuse or breaker panel in your home shows signs of rust.
• Lights go out and come back on by themselves (excludes hauntings).
• do you have an in-ground swimming pool or spa more than 5 years old.
• It is not uncommon to receive a shock when working near the sink.
• Appliance cords with three prong plugs are plugged into a grounded receptacle using a two-prong ground adapter.
• Sparking occurs when an appliance or lamp is plugged into a wall outlet.
• Sparks occur when one or more light switches is turned on or off.

If you observe any of the above symptoms, it is time for a house-call by a qualified electrician. Otherwise, it might be your local fire department who comes to visit. Remember, electrical work is not a hobby. Use only qualified, licensed electricians in your home.

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