Homeowners Urged to Check Electrical Safety Amidst Rainy Season Fire Risks

CHIANG RAI – The rainy season brings cool weather, but it also hides a serious danger inside your home. Water leaks and damp conditions can easily turn faulty electrical wiring into a major fire hazard. Because of this, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) urges everyone to inspect their homes. Taking action right now can help you avoid dangerous short circuits and keep your family safe. Mr. Teerapat Catchamat, the Director-General of the DDPM, recently shared important advice for all homeowners. He noted that older houses face the highest risks due to aging wires and outdated systems. Moisture can easily build up in these older setups, making dangerous electrical leaks much more likely. When rainwater meets exposed wires, the chance of a sudden home fire goes up very fast. You should regularly check your power cords, wall plugs, and electrical outlets for signs of damage. If you see cracked casing, burn marks, or loose connections, you must stop using them immediately. Furthermore, always hire a trained electrician to fix these issues instead of doing it yourself. A professional can properly test your safety breakers and ground wires to ensure they work safely. It is also vital to keep all your appliances far away from any damp or leaky areas. You must never touch electrical items when your hands or body are wet from the rain. Additionally, avoid plugging too many high-power gadgets into a single power strip at the same time. Stacking power strips on top of each other creates excess heat, which can easily start a fire. Finally, you need to know exactly what to do if an electrical fire actually breaks out. You must never throw water on the flames, as this can cause a deadly electric shock. Instead, quickly turn off the main power at your home’s breaker box or cut-out switch. After doing that, get everyone outside safely and call emergency services for immediate help.