Recently, social media has been buzzing with the heartbreaking story of a family of four in Hoa Hop village, Thach Kenh commune, Thach Ha district, Ha Tinh province. While the family was sleeping, their air conditioner caught fire, tragically taking the life of the husband. The wife and two young children suffered severe burns and are currently receiving treatment at the National Burn Institute.
Prior to this incident, another family in Hoang Mai district, Hanoi, experienced a situation where their air conditioner caught fire during the night. Although there were no casualties, the fire caused damage to a corner of their house. These incidents serve as a warning to people about the potential risks associated with air conditioners, especially during hot weather like the present.
Dangerous habits
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Con, former lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Hanoi University of Science, National University of Hanoi, explains that air conditioners, like other electrical devices in the house, have a lifespan. When used improperly, their lifespan shortens and can unintentionally result in fires or explosions.
In reality, many families have a habit of setting their air conditioners to a temperature that is significantly lower than the ambient temperature. During extreme heatwaves, people tend to continuously use air conditioners, sometimes even leaving them on for several consecutive days with temperature settings below 20 degrees Celsius. According to Assoc. Prof. Con, this is a highly dangerous habit because the air conditioner is put under excessive strain, and the outdoor unit is at risk of exploding.
A burning air conditioner. Photo: Nguyen Vuong.
Additionally, unstable electricity currents and low-quality electrical wires can also contribute to fires and explosions.
When air conditioners are placed near flammable objects such as curtains and blankets, a fire can quickly spread out of control. An air conditioner catching fire during the night, when people are sound asleep, becomes even more dangerous. At that time, the victims may be overcome by smoke and not be alert enough to recognize the danger and escape in time.
Using air conditioners safely
Assoc. Prof. Con suggests that the safest way to use air conditioners is to avoid running them continuously for many days. The temperature settings should be kept at around 25-28 degrees Celsius. If it’s not cool enough, families can prepare additional electric fans to reduce the air conditioner’s workload.
Furthermore, during installation, people should choose air conditioners with clear origins and consider the cross-sectional area of the electrical wires to ensure safety. During use, regular maintenance and inspections are essential. Cleaning and maintaining the air conditioner not only prolong its lifespan but also ensure a natural and clean environment.
Installing a circuit breaker for the air conditioner is also crucial as it helps the device operate stably. When electrical leaks or short circuits occur, the circuit breaker will automatically cut off the power to ensure the safety of the user and other electrical devices in the house. Moreover, if the air conditioner is not used for an extended period of time, users can also turn off the circuit breaker to protect the machine from damage caused by sudden power surges from the grid.
According to Zing
