The Danger in Your Walls: Preventing Electrical Fires in Georgia

Electrical fires are among the most dangerous of all, because they begin where you cannot see them — inside walls, sockets, and appliances — and often while everyone is asleep. In Georgia, where much of the wiring is decades old, the risk is especially real.

What Georgia's cases show

• In Tbilisi, a fire on Tevdore Mghvdeli Street gutted a four-storey building of shops and warehouses — traced to faulty wiring. (TV Pirveli)
• In Baghdati, western Georgia, a family home was destroyed by a fire caused by old electrical wiring. (Pravda Georgia)
• A large fire at Tbilisi's Borjomi Railway Station market was, by early indications, electrical in origin. (Georgia Today)

The common thread: ageing wiring and overloaded systems carrying a modern electrical load.

The most common causes

• Overloaded sockets and chained-together extension leads.
• Old or damaged wiring and worn insulation.
• Cheap, uncertified chargers and adapters.
• High-power appliances — heaters, air-conditioners — on inadequate circuits.

Warning signs you must never ignore

• Sockets or switches that feel warm or look scorched.
• A faint burning smell with no obvious source.
• Lights that flicker, breakers that trip repeatedly, or outlets that buzz.

Seven steps to protect your home or business

1. 1.One high-power appliance per socket — never chain extension leads.
2. 2.Replace frayed cords, cracked plugs, and cheap adapters.
3. 3.Don't run cables under rugs or trapped behind furniture — heat builds up.
4. 4.Use certified chargers and electrical goods only.
5. 5.Have older wiring inspected by a licensed electrician.
6. 6.Fit smoke detectors — a wall fire's first sign is usually smoke.
7. 7.Keep an extinguisher or fire-extinguisher ball near the fuse box and kitchen. Never use water on a live electrical fire — cut the power first.

You can't watch the inside of your walls — but you can detect a fire early and stop it fast. That is exactly what ORDEX is built for.

Sources: Tbilisi (Tevdore Mghvdeli St) & Borjomi market fires — TV Pirveli, Georgia Today; Baghdati home fire — Pravda Georgia.