A Communication Team member of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ADO1 Alex King Nartey, has advised homeowners to replace electrical wiring in their homes every 20 years to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks.
Speaking to Adom News, ADO1 Nartey explained that outdated electrical systems can become hazardous when modern high-powered appliances place excessive demand on old wiring installations.
“Electrical overload occurs when the power demand from appliances becomes greater than the capacity of the cables installed in the building, and that can easily trigger a fire outbreak,” he stated.
According to him, homeowners should regularly assess and upgrade their electrical systems, preferably every 10 years or, at most, every 20 years.
He noted that many homes in Ghana were wired years ago when households relied mainly on basic appliances such as bulbs and fans. However, over time, residents have added heavier appliances such as air conditioners, deep freezers, electric cookers and other devices that place significant pressure on ageing wiring systems.
“Most of these houses were wired decades ago when electricity consumption was very low. Today, the situation has changed because people now use several high-powered appliances, yet the old wiring systems remain the same,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA), Samuel Amegayibor, has cautioned the public against attempting to repair faulty electrical appliances without professional assistance.
He urged residents to engage certified electricians and qualified technicians whenever they encounter electrical faults in their homes.
“People should avoid fixing electrical faults on their own. It is always safer to contact qualified professionals to handle such issues to prevent accidents and possible fire outbreaks,” he advised.
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