burning laptop

May 28…….National Electronic Safety Month falls in May. The average family powers dozens of electronic devices in their homes including computers, monitors, printers, TV’s and game consoles much more than twenty years ago. In the U.S. the third leading cause of fatal home fire injuries and the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths are from fires and burns and are from electronics.  Flame retardant chemicals are used to coat the wires and other components which provide escape times of 15 times longer.  In a fire the difference between 2 minutes and 25 minutes could mean saved properties and lives.

Most of us focus our attentions on our kitchens and smoke detectors but did you know that 5 out of 10 home fire deaths happen in homes with smoke detectors?

Here are four safety tips from Albemarle’s Advisor for Fire Safety & Advocacy, Susan Landry, that are easy to execute and will improve the fire safety of electronic devices used in your homes or office.  Albemarle is a global manufacturer of flame retardants and creator of GreenArmor™, a new eco-friendly fire safety solution:

1)      Fire extinguishers: A dry chemical fire extinguisher is applicable for electrical fires, so buy one and keep it stored safely nearby. After the fire extinguishers use, be careful to clean up all the used powder. The powder that comes from discharging it can short circuit electronic equipment.

2) Electrical Outlets: Make sure all electrical outlets are properly grounded and have the correct power rating. A surge protector can handle the demands of any electronic device and provides a reliable and safe connection to the wall outlet. Using models with multiple outlets are perfect for computer equipment like monitors, CPU’s, speakers, and printers. NEVER use a standard extension cord like those of vacuum cleaners to electronic devices.

3) Entertainment centers and TV’s: Keep newspapers, cloths, and other flammable materials away for all vents on televisions, stereo equipment, etc.  Televisions sitting in a cabinet or any other wooden furniture should have adequate space around the set for proper air circulation.

4) Computers: When leaving your computer for long periods of time turn off the monitors. Monitors generate high voltage internally that may trigger an explosion or start and electrical fire in a combustible area. You will find there is a small button usually located in the right corner of the screen’s frame that allows you to turn the power off the monitor. When you return and resume your work, you can turn it back on again.