Don’t Let an Electrical Fire Shock Your Business

Article content provided by Federated Insurance.

Every year, thousands of workplaces face the devastating impact of electrical fires. Did you know that there are an estimated 33,470 commercial electrical fires each year in the United States, killing nearly 45 people and costing around $1.36 billion in direct property damage?

October is Fire Prevention Month, and your reminder to take action. Properly using electrical power strips and surge protectors can help reduce the chances of a fire.

Here are five simple tips that you can implement at your business today:

• Limiting the number of devices plugged into extension cords and power strips
• Removing items with lithium-ion batteries once they are charged and not charging them overnight
• Disposing of old or damaged power strips and replacing them with new ones
• Avoiding “daisy chaining” (i.e., plugging power strips into other power strips)
• Making sure that electrical cords are routed safely away from doorways and not run under rugs or carpets

If your business gets shocked by an electrical fire, your employees, family, and community could feel the burn from your doors being closed. Small steps taken today could make a real difference tomorrow.

Reach out to your local Federated Insurance® marketing representative today for more risk management resources. Federated® clients can access mySHIELD® for additional industry-specific resources.

1. Electrical Fire Protection. Firetrace International. 2025. http://www.firetrace.com/electrical-fires. Accessed August 19, 2025.

Visit the SMACNA association page for more on the products and services Federated Insurance offers, and to locate your local marketing representative and association account executive.

This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate, any or all risk of loss. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for, any laws or regulations that may apply. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. ©2023 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.