Equatorial warns of fire risks in residential electrical installations

Failures in electrical installations remain among the main causes of fires in homes throughout Brazil and continue to represent a serious risk to the safety of the population. Data from the Brazilian Association for Awareness of the Dangers of Electricity (Abracopel) indicate that, in 2025 alone, 1,304 fires caused by electrical overload were recorded in the country. Residences lead the number of occurrences and also concentrate the majority of fatal victims. Of the total number of cases recorded, 706 were directly related to problems with internal electrical installations. Avoid the permanent use of benjamins, extensions and Ts Disclosure/Equatorial In Maranhão, the scenario follows the national trend and raises a significant alert. According to a survey by the Maranhão Military Fire Department (CBMMA), 63% of residential fires registered in the state in 2025 were caused by electrical failures. The numbers show that the lack of maintenance, inadequate use of electricity and installations outside of recommended technical standards continue to be among the main risk factors in residential and commercial properties. In this context, Equatorial Maranhão intensifies safety guidelines and reinforces the importance of prevention as the main measure to avoid short circuits, fires and accidents involving electrical energy. The Distributor's Safety Executive, Gabriel Vieira, highlights that paying attention to signs of electrical failures is essential to prevent more serious situations from happening. "Among the main causes of short circuits are the smell of burning in appliances, sockets or power standards and blown fuses, interruptions in the supply in one or more rooms without an apparent cause, in addition to the constant tripping of the circuit breaker. These signs should not be ignored", warns the Executive. Avoid using household appliances in poor condition Disclosure/Equatorial The domestic environment has the highest number of accidents involving electricity, which reinforces the need for simple, but essential, care in everyday life. Equatorial Maranhão advises consumers to adopt preventive measures, such as: • Avoid overloading sockets with sockets (“T”) and extension cords - a practice that can cause conductors to heat up and increase the risk of fires; • Never use bare or poorly maintained wires and opt exclusively for certified electrical materials and equipment, in accordance with Brazilian Standards (NBRs); • Remove cell phone chargers from sockets when leaving home. If traveling, disconnect equipment or, if possible, the general circuit breaker of the electrical installation from the sockets; • Avoid installing sockets close to places where water is present; • Keep curtains and rugs away from wires and sockets, reducing the risk of fire spreading in the event of a short circuit; • Contact a qualified electrician whenever the circuit breaker trips frequently. Periodic complete maintenance of the property's electrical circuit is recommended, remembering that, from the energy meter into the residence, the responsibility lies with the consumer; • In the event of accidents involving electrical energy inside the home, the guideline is to immediately turn off the circuit breaker or main switch in the home and call security agencies, such as the Fire Department, at number 193, or Samu, at 192. The Distributor also reinforces the importance of hiring only qualified professionals for maintenance, review or adaptation services of electrical installations. "Only a qualified professional can ensure that the circuits are correctly sized and in compliance with safety standards. Furthermore, periodic maintenance and the installation of protection devices significantly reduce risks and increase the safety of people and properties", highlighted Gabriel Vieira. Only professionals who have knowledge in the area should carry out repairs and maintenance inside and outside the home Disclosure/Equatorial Movimento VC+ Seguro Equatorial Maranhão reinforces that these guidelines are part of the “Vc+ Seguro” Movement, an initiative that acts in a preventive manner, guiding its customers and reinforcing the importance of safety with electrical energy to avoid accidents. The campaign aims to expand access to information and raise awareness among the population about the risks and dangers related to the use of electrical energy, reaffirming the Distributor's commitment to safety, accident prevention and the well-being of the community. Red August During the month of August, the movement's actions are reinforced with the Red August campaign, an initiative promoted by the Brazilian Association of Electricity Distributors (Abradee), aimed at raising awareness among the population about the risks of accidents involving the electrical grid.