Vent: I just learned how many house fires start from old outlets

I was reading a report from the National Fire Protection Association and it said over 5,000 home fires a year are caused by faulty outlets. That's a crazy number! I've been telling my customers in Tampa to upgrade their old two-prong outlets for years, but now I have the hard stat to back it up. How many of you guys actually push for outlet replacements during a service call?

3 comments

3 Comments

bennett.harper1mo ago

That "crazy number" is why I always point out old outlets when I'm on a call. People look at me like I'm trying to upsell them on a new car, not a ten dollar part that could save their house. I just tell them to imagine that stat is their living room couch on fire. Usually gets the point across better than any report.

the_wendy1mo ago

Oh man, that's so true. I mean, @bennett.harper, you're totally right that people just see dollar signs and not the actual danger. It's wild how a ten dollar part feels like a scam until you put it in terms of their stuff burning down. I guess we're all just wired to ignore boring numbers until it's our own couch on fire. Makes the whole sales pitch thing way harder than it should be.

beth2761mo ago

Exactly, that visual makes it real for people. Reports are just numbers on a page, they don't stick. But picturing your own stuff burning? That hits different. It cuts through the "they just want my money" feeling you get from some calls. Smart way to make a safety thing actually matter to someone.