The latest statistics of the National Fire Protection Association [ [1] ], available for 1993 – 1997 are that 41,200 home structure fires per year are attributed to ‘electrical distribution.’ These electrical distribution fires account for 336 civilian deaths, 1446 civilian injuries, and $643.9 million in direct property damage per year. These figures include a proportional distribution of fires with unknown equipment involved in ignition, but do not include power cords or plugs which are attributed to specific appliances. The 41,200 structure fires account for 9.7% of total home structure fires in the period, placing electrical distribution 5^th out of 12 major causes. The $643.9 million in property damage represents 14.4% of total damage, putting electrical distribution in second place (behind incendiary or suspicious causes). Earlier statistics compiled for 1985 – 1994 by FEMA [ [2] ] showed very similar results: electrical distribution was the fifth-ranked cause of fires, the fourth-ranked cause of fire fatalities, and the second-ranked cause of property loss.  The electrical distribution causes [1] are itemized in Table 1. See link below.

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Electrical work is unlike any other work. It should always be performed by certified electrical contractors.