As the temperatures fall and holiday decorations go up, fire crews across Washington State are preparing for a seasonal surge in fire calls involving electrical wiring and appliances.

On average, 26,000 homes are involved in electrical fires per year, causing more than 250 deaths and more than $1 billion in property damage, according to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office.

In 2012, the most recent year for which data is available from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, electrical appliances and distribution problems were the leading known cause of fire-related fatalties, causing 18 percent of deaths in fire cases. Smoking was second, with 14 percent of fatalities, and home heating units were third, with 11 percent. 41 percent of fatal fires had no determinable cause according to investigators.

More than half of fire fatalities that year occured in single-family dwellings.

“Traditionally, we see more electrical fires occur in Washington State during the winter months,” State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy said.

Duffy offered the following tips to keep your home safe this season.

• Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring. Replace any worn or damaged appliance cords immediately. Do not try to repair them.
• Buy only appliances that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord. If you must use an extension cord, use only surge protectors or power strips that have internal overload protection and have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Unplug small appliances when not in use.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Replace any electrical device if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.
• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture.
• Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched by furniture, under rugs and carpets, or across doorways.
• Extension cords are for temporary use only. Have a qualified electrician determine if additional circuits or wall outlets are needed.
• Electrical work should be done only by a qualified electrician. Call an electrician if you have recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, a burning smell or rubbery odor coming from an appliance, flickering lights, or sparks or damage to a wall outlet.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

For more information, contact your local fire department.