New York Attorney Provides Tips to Prevent Building Fires

The Full Throttle Saloon in South Dakota was well known to bikers all over the country, as the bar was frequently filled to its massive capacity whenever the local motorcycle rallies took place. But a recent fire all but destroyed the building, and the owner’s lack of insurance makes it unlikely he will choose to rebuild.

The cause of the fire was a kink in an electrical cord behind one of the many keg coolers. No one noticed the kink when the cooler was pushed into place, and the excessive heat generated by the electrical current caught a nearby cardboard box on fire.

Electrical currents always generate heat, so dissipating that heat is extremely important. Most electrical wiring is sheathed to prevent the heat radiating into nearby objects. The integrity of this sheathing is among the important elements of preventing a building fire from occurring.

There is no foolproof method for preventing electrical fires, but there are many safety precautions that diminish the likelihood of an electrical fire occurring, including:

• Performing periodic checks of all extension cords and visible electrical lines to insure the cords are not damaged or kinked
• Call an experienced electrician when shorts or other electrical events occur with regularity
• Avoid overloading outlets

These tips are useful in homes and apartments, but are even more important in commercial buildings. Many businesses have a tendency to cut corners, and will defer electrical work that needs done. These businesses are literally playing with fire, as a single spark, power surge, or overheating appliance can cause a massive fire in a very short time.

Businesses owe it to their customers to do everything they can to insure safety. Not doing so incurs liability. If you or someone you love has been injured in a building fire, and you suspect the building owners or tenants did not fulfill their responsibilities, it is important that you contact an experienced attorney. An experienced attorney will know how to interpret any findings from fire investigators, and can help you pursue the compensation to which you are entitled.