The Hidden Risk in Modern Homes: Why Electrical Fires Are on the Rise and How to Prevent Them

As homes become smarter and more reliant on power-hungry appliances, the risk of electrical fires is quietly increasing. From overloaded circuits to improperly installed wiring, today’s homes face threats that aren’t always visible but are potentially devastating.

At ProCo Coatings, we believe that awareness is the first step in electrical fire prevention. Here’s what every homeowner, builder, and property manager needs to know.

Why Are Electrical Fires Becoming More Common?

Modern homes are packed with:

• Smart home hubs

• Chargers and power strips

• High-efficiency appliances

• Home entertainment systems

• Computers and Laptops

But what hasn’t changed?

The standard wiring hidden behind your walls.

Many homes—especially those built in the early 2000s or earlier—aren’t equipped to handle the electrical demands of modern life. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, electrical malfunctions are responsible for approximately 24,000 residential fires each year, causing hundreds of injuries and millions in property damage.

Key causes include:

• Overloaded circuits and outlets

• Faulty or outdated wiring

• Poor DIY electrical work

• Unprotected power surges

Source: U.S. Fire Administration, Electrical Fires Fact Sheet

Why These Fires Are Especially Dangerous

Electrical fires often start in hidden places: behind walls, in attics, or near circuit breakers. This delays detection and gives flames time to spread unnoticed.

By the time smoke is visible, valuable minutes have been lost, making the fire harder to control and putting lives at risk.

How ProCo Coatings Helps Reduce the Risk

While no system can prevent every fire, ProCo’s services can significantly reduce the damage caused by electrical fires, especially the dangerous wall and attic fires that spread fast.

Our solutions include:

✅ Fire-Retardant Treatment (FRT): Coats wood framing to slow flame spread, giving firefighters and residents more time to respond

✅ Early Detection Devices: Advanced heat and smoke sensors detect signs of danger before it’s visible

✅ Stovetop Fire Suppression: FireBot installs easily in your kitchen. Cooking is the #1 source of home fires

A Small Step with Big Impact

Whether you’re building a new home or protecting the one you live in, proactive fire protection is no longer optional, it’s essential.

Electrical fires don’t make noise. They don’t leave warning signs. But when they ignite, you’ll wish you had done something sooner.

Protect your home. Protect your family. Talk to ProCo Coatings today.