We are Sad about safety: lets make headlines fire free.Posted on - February 1, 2020

Fire outbreak is the third-largest deterrent to business continuity, reported India Risk Survey (IRS) in 2018. Another report by Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) stated that there was a 300% increase in fire cases in commercial buildings and a 100% increase in fires in residential buildings. They also reported that 42 % of deaths due to accidental fire happened in residential buildings

Not much has improved since. And that is what makes us really sad. Technology has improved manyfold. We now have better appliances, equipments, safety devices and connection systems. And yet there is an increase in accidents and the loss of life and property thereof. Lack of awareness, is the biggest factor.

The National Crime Records Bureau Data indicates that a total of 113961 people lost their lives due to Fire Accidents from 2010 to 2014. That is an average of 62 deaths a day. Electrical short circuits are one of the most common causes of fires in India. As a manufacturer of wiring technologies, these statistics make us remorseful. Many of these fires were avoidable with better awareness and better use of technology.

A few common fire threats hiding in every household are:

1. The Mains or MCB (Main Circuit Breaker) : One can call this the primary switch board for the home. It is important to know where the mains are and understand how to work this fuse box. It is doubly important to get the correct MCB capacity as per the appliances being connected to it. This is one of the most common starting point for electrical fires. Maintenance and regular replacement of the MCB can help keep the entire house fire safe 
2. Wires : Wires are an invisible threat running inside every wall of the house. It is important to get wires of the correct capacity too. For example air conditioners and heavy appliances must be connected using 15AMP wires only. Most of the other connections like fans and lights can be on 5AMP wires. Overheating of wires often go unnoticed leading to a fire. The PVC insulation on wires can often be a contributor to spreading a fire. Fire Retardant Low Smoke (FRLS) wires use specialised material that does not spread the fire easily. 
3. Power plugs & switches: A power plug that has been giving off sparks, the switches that don’t work – these are tell-tale signs of outages. Such signs need to be addressed by trained professionals immediately. 
4. Extentions and powerstrips : These are usually meant for smaller appliances like cell-phone chargers, computer peripherals, lamps etc. Overloading of powerstrips with appliances like iron, mixer-grinder, ovens etc
5. Exposed wires: Broken and frayed wires are often taped and put to use. A highly unsafe practice, this leads to power wastage as well as pose a dangerous fire threat

While fires are disastrous and cause much damage to life and valuables. Most fires are avoidable. Negligence and lack of awareness being the most common causes of such hazards. Most fires are caused by electrical short-circuiting, overheating and overloading of power connections. Here are five things to do for safer power connections:

1. Shop right: Check the required capacities and ratings needed before you buy switches, wires, sockets, fuse and circuit breakers. Buy good quality, certified and checked products only.
2. Wire well: The wiring is most crucial, once done it is not likely to be replaced soon. Make sure the wires are fire-retardant, flexible and the best possible quality.
3. Repair, replace, recheck: Regular maintenance checks, repair and replacement of faulty peripherals by a trained electrician help greatly in avoiding hazards.
4. Extinguish: Putting out a fire is easier at the start. It is advisable to keep and maintain fire extinguishers at homes and offices. Do not put water on an electrical fire.

Paramount offers house wires that are super flexible, fire retardant and triple insulated for better safety. Our Fire Retardant Low Smoke wires will not catch fire easily. In case of a mishap, the specialized PVC will stop the fire from spreading. Super flexible wires that bend easily will not break or fray thus ensuring better safety.

Choose wise, wire safe, connect up to a powerful living!   

https://factly.in/fire-accidents-caused-an-average-of-62-deaths-per-day-in-the-last-5-years/
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/fire-at-rubber-factory-in-delhi-s-malviya-nagar/story-pfzZLkiw3o0PDn6Kyygm1N.html