Electrical fires are one of the most common small-scale disasters in the American home.
According to data collected by the United States Fire Administration,
more than 28,000 electrical fires occur annually, and each one causes,
on average, close to $38,000 in damages. If you do not want to end up
footing the high bill after an electrical fire burns your property, there
are two things you should do right now: learn how to prevent electrical
fires, and learn what to do if you need to file a homeowner’s insurance
claim after one breaks out.
How to Help Prevent Electrical Fires
Most electrical fires happen almost-literally right under the homeowner’s
nose. Faulty electronics, old appliances, and damaged wiring hidden in
plain sight get too hot or spark suddenly and, without warning, an in-home
fire is raging.
To reduce the chances of an electrical fire:
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Annual inspection: The majority of electrical fires occur in December and January, when people
require heating and lighting in their homes more than ever. Consider getting
an annual safety inspection in November by a professional electrician.
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Clear cords: Electrical cords should not be run under rugs, where they can overheat,
but instead along walls, clear of where people can trip over them. Do
not allow numerous cords to tangle, or create an “octopus”
as firefighters often call it.
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Paper shades: Putting a piece of paper or cloth over a lamp for just a minute or so
can cause it to combust. Never drape anything over a light or heat source,
even if you are confident it is not flammable.
How to File Your Insurance Claim
Just as careful preparation is required to prevent electrical fires in
the home, the same amount of attention is required when actually filing
a homeowner’s insurance claim after a fire breaks out. If you have
any recent photographs of how your property looked before the
fire damage spread, catalogue them now. You should also ask for any copies of reports
firefighters or other emergency responders might create. They can sometimes
tell just from the look of a fire’s damage how it began and whether
or not it was accidental.
The moment you think you need help with understanding your homeowner’s
insurance policy, filing a claim, or rebutting a claim denial, it is time to call
844-HIRE-A-DICK. At Dick Law Firm, our Houston insurance bad faith attorney has been helping
people all across Texas seek fair recoveries after their insurance carriers
have left them hanging out to dry. If you would like to know more, request a
free consultation using our online form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.