When there's a smoke

Nowadays, everybody is complaining about high electricity costs. The rise in power rates is compounded by an increase in electrical consumption. Today's average home is teeming with electrical appliances and equipment that, a decade or so ago, would be deemed excessive.

Every new electrical tool brought in adds to the total electrical load which may run quite too much for the home wiring system. Very few people, however, are aware of the hazard looming amid their growing collection of electrical equipment.

The home's electrical system is, ordinarily, just for basic lighting and kitchen equipment. With each new electrical gadget that people acquire, the probability of an electrical overload at home increases. Since the house wiring is hidden in the walls, overheating wires and melting insulation usually go undetected. Until it's too late.

Out-of-sight electrical hazards can easily cause a fire, especially if you live in an old house that may not have been designed to accommodate your present electrical appliances. In general, homes that are at least 30 years old or older have been constructed with only the minimum of domestic devices in mind. Their electrical loads allow only for such common appliances as the refrigerator, electric fans and lights. Television might have been considered, too, but not in such widespread use as today's.

In short, old houses were not designed to handle the present electrical demand. But this fact is easily ignored by residents, and as houses change owners or occupants. Modern appliances may be more energy efficient, but their total number in an average home can overload ageing electrical circuits. Even innocuous devices as the hair dryer and the blender may consume as much as twice the energy of a refrigerator when used frequently. The videoke machine and the DVD player can consume more.

Modern homes need as much as five times the electrical capacity of their older counterparts. Household electrical installations are supposed to be regulated by a system of government licenses, permits and inspections. But this is only true during construction or major renovation. Many homeowners even surreptitiously bypass the process in order to save on expenses and time. And electrical inspection is often not required when the property is turned over to a new owner.

A simple oversized light bulb can overheat the wire and cracked or tattered insulation can cause electrocution. Small wires plugged with heavy appliances and wall outlets laden with too many electrical cords can spark or explode. They can start a fire.

The most common, unmistakable sign of fire is smoke. When you see smoke and can't trace it to any normal source, act quickly. Reach for the main switch and turn if off. Then call in an electrician to check your electrical system. Yet most of the time, especially when the smoke is suspiciously thick and dark, it is wise to call the fire department at once.

Old wiring, by itself, does not necessarily mean trouble. And it may not always be easily possible to subject your home to a general electrical checkup. But you can do a lot to eliminate or at least minimize the risk of fire. Be watchful of the telltale signs of possible electrical trouble: 1. Overloaded wall outlets. 2. Hot electrical outlets, switches or cords. 3. Flickering or dimming lights. 4. Smell of burning metal or plastic. 5. Wobbly electrical plugs. 6. Tripping circuit breakers. 7. Too many extension cords.

In case of any of these, immediately find a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to repair malfunctioning electrical fixtures or, for that matter, endeavor to wire your house by yourself. Amateur wiring and haphazard electrical works are very dangerous. It might save a few pesos in the short term, but the savings will never justify the damage when something happens.

It is advisable to subject your house to a thorough electrical inspection every 20 years or so, or whenever you add high-wattage electrical appliances. Do the same when moving into a new house or when renovating an old one. As extra precaution, keep highly flammable and volatile substances away from the kitchen or, better yet, away from the house.

Above all, never ignore a smoke-it can cost dear lives and property.