Electrical Safety – Not

In the photo, the home inspector discovered that a homeowner had plugged in 5 extension cords and the washing machine into a power strip located in a garage.

Every year, thousands of fires result from surge protectors, power strips and electrical cords.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that about 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords/power strips each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others.

What’s the big deal?

The most frequent causes of such fires are short circuits, overloading, damage, and/or misuse of extension cords.

Surge protectors, power strips, or extension cords are not a substitute for permanent wiring per electrical installation requirements.

Also, unprotected electrical cables below 7.5 feet in a garage are not permitted, as the cable is subjected to mechanical damage.

Count on the home inspectors at Pacific Coast Inspections, Inc. to be keenly aware of all electrical safety conditions during their inspections.

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