My husband and I got into an argument tonight over whether a broken prong on an outlet should stay plugged in or removed because of my fear that it may short out and cause a fire. It shoots sparks everytime it's plugged in
He asked me how it can cause a fire, and I wasn't sure how to explain it. Can someone help me to make him understand that I'm not just paranoid?
2006-08-14 17:29:33 · 7 answers · asked by Lady J 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Get an electrician to tell him, apparently, your husband is like most men (i.e. me) and will not listen to a woman (especially his own wife!)....LOL! But you're right, it can cause a fire. It'll short out and the electricity will jump the gap looking for a ground. In doing so, the heat generated will spark and catch something on fire.
2006-08-14 17:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Any time there are sparks there is a danger of a fire. One way I know that can cause a fire is for dust and lint that accumulates under the outlet plate can ignite and slow burn up the wall after you are in bed and burn down your house. This is a frequent cause of house fires. Usually the smoke is drawn up to the attic through the hole where the wire comes down from the ceiling and this acts like a tiny chimney for the fire, and also why no one smells smoke from it. That is why it is a slow burn, several hours sometimes, until it breaks through to the attic.
FIX THE OUTLET/PLUG!!!
...jj
2006-08-15 00:39:01 · answer #2 · answered by johnny j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The break becomes a point of resistance in the electrical feed, which than causes a build up of heat.
2006-08-15 01:41:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You DID NOT marry him for his brains , right?? SPARKS, man don't you know thats how the cave man found out about fire!! SPARKS mean fire!! electrical or not something is hot!!
2006-08-15 06:33:26 · answer #4 · answered by fuzzykjun 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can short out and blow your entire system which could result in an electrical fire.
2006-08-15 00:33:59 · answer #5 · answered by brythedude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"How can it start a fire?" he asked, ignoring the shower of sparks. Sparks should be a sign.
2006-08-15 00:36:09 · answer #6 · answered by Jim T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Easy DIY job. 2 bucks tops. Now is that something to argue about?
2006-08-16 08:41:21 · answer #7 · answered by Danny Z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋