Possible Warning Signs of an Electrical Fire

It takes only a small spark from your outlet to cause a fire to break out in the middle of the night as you and your family sleeps. Many of those who survived one of these fires later said that they didn't notice any warning signs, but the chances are good that you will notice some issues and signs before one of these fires happens. Whether you live in a newer home or an older one, you need to keep your eyes out for possible warning signs that an electrical fire may occur.

Black Marks on Outlets

The next time that you start to plug in an appliance or an electronic device, take a look at the outlet. No matter what color your outlet cover is, it should be the same color all the way across. If there are any dark spots or discolorations on the outlet, this can indicate that an electrical fire occurred in the past. This is especially true of dark marks that radiate out from the center of the outlet. The fire can cause sparks or flames to escape through the holes in the outlet.

Burning Odor

One problem that some people experience is a persistent burning odor that they pick up on in certain rooms. This odor often occurs because the wiring in your home is older or not strong enough to accommodate all the electronic devices and appliances that your family uses. A burning smell can indicate one or more small fires that broke out in the past inside your walls, especially if you notice the smell one day and later find that the odor went away.

Circuit/Fuse Problems

Whether your home still uses older fuses or has modern circuit breakers, you need to pay attention to any problems with tripped breakers or popped fuses. When a fuse pops, you need to replace it with a new fuse, but if you trip the circuit breaker, you probably just turn it back on without a second thought. These problems usually indicate that your home's electrical system cannot accommodate the load of devices and appliances that you use. A Ponte Vedra electrician can do a thorough inspection of your home's electrical system, let you know if you need to upgrade that system and how much the upgrade will cost. Looking for any of these signs can help you prevent electrical fires in your home.