Electrical cord fires are one of the three leading causes of construction site fires in New York City. The cord doesn't catch fire dramatically — it smolders under debris, inside walls, or under a pile of insulation long before anyone notices. By the time smoke appears, the fire is already advanced. Prevention is the only strategy that works.

• Overloading: Running too much current through an undersized cord — the cord's insulation heats up from resistance and eventually ignites surrounding combustibles
• Damaged insulation: A cord with a nicked or crushed jacket arcs internally, generating intense localized heat
• Poor connections: Loose plugs, worn receptacle contacts, or improvised splices create resistance heating at the connection point
• Covered cords: Cords buried under debris, insulation, or flooring cannot dissipate heat — rated ampacity assumes free-air conditions

• Check the cord's ampacity rating — it must match or exceed the load of the tools or equipment connected
• Inspect the full length of the cord for damage: cuts, abrasion, melted areas, pinch points
• Never run cords under doors, through holes in walls, or under mats or carpet — insulation damage is invisible
• Never coil a cord while in use — coiled conductors build up heat
• All connections must be tight and dry — never plug cords together outdoors in rain