Facts and Stats

Home Electrical Fires: Facts and Statistics

- Annual Fire Incidence: Home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, resulting in nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and causing approximately $1.3 billion in property damage.

- Leading Causes: Electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home structure fires.

- Arcing Faults: Every year in the United States, arcing faults are responsible for starting more than 28,000 home fires, leading to death and injury for hundreds of people, alongside over $700 million in property damage.

- Receptacle-Related Incidents: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that electrical receptacles are involved in 5,300 fires annually, resulting in forty deaths and more than 100 injuries to consumers.

-Smoke Detector Importance: Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes that lack working smoke detectors.

Key Takeaways

- Home electrical fires pose a significant risk, accounting for many injuries and fatalities

Stats from NFPA and ESFI websites.