When the weather turns colder and we spend more time indoors, you might find yourself reaching for an electric space heater or electric blanket to help take the chill off when you are home. But before you do, it’s a good idea to think twice about where you are going to plug in those power-hungry devices. A little forethought can help prevent the fire hazards that can be caused by overloading an an electrical outlet or circuit.

The dangers of electrical overloads
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, every year fire departments in the U.S. respond to an estimated 24,200 home electrical fires. These fires cause an estimated:
- 295 deaths
- 900 injuries
- $1.2 billion in property loss
Nearly 40% of home electrical fires involve outlets and other electrical wiring.
To reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home, you should only use about 80% of the available power on each outlet or circuit.
Are you overloading your outlet?
Except for those intended for major appliances, most electrical circuits in your home usually are rated for 15 or 20 amps. Most of these circuits server multiple outlets and/or light fixtures. So, how do you know if you are in danger of drawing too much power on one circuit? A simple formula will help:
DEVICE WATTAGE/VOLTS = AMPS
- Frequent circuit breaker trips
- Flickering or dimming lights, especially when using other lights or appliances
- A buzzing sound from switches or outlets
- Switch covers or outlets that are warm to the touch
- Visible burn marks or a burning smell from switches or outlets
- Scorched outlets
- Sluggish electronics or lack of power in appliances
- A shock or tingling sensation when you touch switches, outlets, or appliances