WORCESTER, Mass. - Every year hundreds of people die in electrical fires in their homes, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.

Electrical fires are one of the leading causes of death for people over the age of 65.

May is Electrical Safety month and local fire departments are reminding people there are ways to protect your homes. 

Worcester Fire Deputy Chief Adam Roche said people should never overload their outlets and plug heat generating appliances directly into an outlet, not a power strip or extension cord. 

Roche said there have been several suspected electrical fires in the city in recent years. He said when charging items like a laptop or cellphone to place them on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow. 

“We advise people when they’re charging mobile devices to charge them on a non-combustible surface, especially not on mattresses, couches, chairs, soft cushions to avoid risk of fire and overheating of the devices,” Roche said. “We’ve had a couple instances in Worcester, where mobile devices have been on soft surfaces and possibly been the cause of structure fires.”

The DFS also recommends having a licensed electrician review your home’s electrical system every 10 years.