Electricity is an essential
part of our lives. However,
it has the potential to
cause great harm. Electrical
systems will function almost
indefinitely if properly
installed and not overloaded
or physically abused.
Electrical fires in our
homes claim the lives of 485
Americans each year and
injure 2,305 more. Some of
these fires are caused by
electrical system failures
and appliance defects, but
many more are caused by the
misuse and poor maintenance
of electrical appliances,
incorrectly installed
wiring, and overloaded
circuits and extension
cords.
-
Never use anything but
the proper fuse to
protect a circuit.
-
Find and correct
overloaded circuits.
-
Never place extension
cords under rugs.
-
Outlets near water
should be GFI-type
outlets.
-
Don't allow trees near
power lines to be
climbed.
-
Keep ladders, kites,
equipment and anything
else away from overhead
power lines.
Electricity enters the home
through a control panel and
a main switch where one can
shut off all the power in an
emergency. These panels are
usually in the basement.
Control panels use either
fuses or circuit breakers.
Install the correct fuses
for the panel. Never use a
greater numbered fuse or a
metallic item such as a
penny. If fuses are used and
there is a stoppage in
power, look for the broken
metal strip in the top of a
blown fuse. Replace the fuse
with a new one marked with
the correct amperage. Reset
circuit breakers from off to
on. Be sure to check why the
fuse or circuit blew.
Possible causes are frayed
wires, overloaded outlets or
defective appliances. Never
overload a circuit with high
wattage appliances. Check
the wattage on appliance
labels. If there is frayed
insulation or a broken wire,
a dangerous short circuit
may result and cause a fire.
If power stoppages continue
or if a frayed or broken
wire is found, contact an
electrician.
Outlets and Extension Cords
Make sure all electrical
outlets are three-hole,
grounded outlets. If there
is water in the area, there
should be a GFI or Ground
Fault Interrupter outlet.
All outdoor outlets should
be GFIs. There should be
ample electrical capacity to
run equipment without
tripping circuit breakers or
blowing fuses. Minimize
extension cord use. Never
place them under rugs. Use
extension cords sparingly
and check them periodically.
Use the proper electrical
cord for the job, and put
safety plugs in unused
outlets.
Electrical Appliances
Appliances need to be
treated with respect and
care. They need room to
breathe. Avoid enclosing
them in a cabinet without
proper openings and do not
store papers around them.
Level appliances so they do
not tip. Washers and dryers
should be checked often.
Their movement can put undue
stress on electrical
connections. If any
appliance or device gives
off a tingling shock, turn
it off, unplug it and have a
qualified person correct the
problem. Shocks can be
fatal. Never insert metal
objects into appliances
without unplugging them.
Check appliances
periodically to spot worn or
cracked insulation, loose
terminals, corroded wires,
defective parts and any
other components that might
not work correctly. Replace
these appliances or have
them repaired by a person
qualified to do so.
Electrical Heating Equipment
Portable electrical heating
equipment may be used in the
home as a supplement to the
home heating system. Caution
must be taken when using
these heating supplements.
Keep them away from
combustibles and make sure
they cannot be tipped over.
Keep electrical heating
equipment in good working
condition. Do not use them
in bathrooms because of the
risk of contact with water
and electrocution. Many
people use electric blankets
in their homes. They will
work well if they are kept
in good condition. Look for
cracks or breaks in the
wiring, plugs and
connectors. Look for charred
spots on both sides. Many
things can cause electric
blankets to overheat. They
include other bedding placed
on top of them, pets
sleeping on top of them, and
putting things on top of the
blanket when it is in use.
Folding the blankets can
also bend the coils and
cause overheating.
Children
Electricity is important to
the workings of the home,
but can be dangerous,
especially to children.
Electrical safety needs to
be taught to children early
on. Safety plugs should be
inserted in unused outlets
when toddlers are in the
home. Make sure all outlets
in the home have face
plates. Teach children not
to put things into
electrical outlets and not
to chew on electrical cords.
Keep electrical wiring boxes
locked. Do not allow
children to come in contact
with power lines outside.
Never allow them to climb
trees near power lines,
utility poles or high
tension towers.
Electricity and Water
A body can act like a
lightning rod and carry the
current to the ground.
People are good conductors
of electricity, particularly
when standing in water or on
a damp floor. A body can act
like a lightning rod and
carry the current to the
ground. Never use any
electric appliance in the
tub or shower. Never touch
an electric cord or
appliance with wet hands. Do
not use electrical
appliances in damp areas or
while standing on damp
floors. In areas where water
is present, use outlets with
"ground fault interrupters"
or GFIs. Shocks can be
fatal.
Animal Hazards
Mice and other rodents can
chew on electrical wires and
damage them. If rodents are
suspected or known to be in
the home, be aware of the
damage they may cause and
take measures to get rid of
them.
Outside Hazards
There are several electrical
hazards outside the home. Be
aware of overhead and
underground power lines.
People have been
electrocuted when an object
they are moving has come in
contact with the overhead
power lines. Keep ladders,
antennas, kites and poles
away from power lines
leading to the house and
other buildings. Do not
plant trees, shrubs, or
bushes under power lines or
near underground power
lines. Never build a
swimming pool or other
structure under the power
line leading to your house.
Before digging, learn the
location of underground
power lines.
Do not climb power poles or
transmission towers. Never
let anyone shoot or throw
stones at insulators. If you
have an animal trapped in a
tree or on the roof near
electric lines, phone your
utility company. Do not take
a chance of electrocuting
yourself. Be aware of
weather conditions when
installing and working with
electrical appliances. Never
use electrical power tools
or appliances with rain
overhead or water underfoot.
Use only outdoor lights,
fixtures and extension
cords. Plug into outlets
with a ground fault
interrupter. Downed power
lines are extremely
dangerous. If you see a
downed power line, call the
electric company, and warn
others away. If a power line
hits your car while you are
in it, stay inside unless
the car catches fire. If the
car catches fire, jump clear
without touching metal and
the ground at the same time.
SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
-
Routinely check your
electrical
appliances and
wiring.
-
Frayed wires can
cause fires. Replace
all worn, old or
damaged appliance
cords immediately.
-
Use electrical
extension cords
wisely and don't
overload them.
-
Keep electrical
appliances away from
wet floors and
counters; pay
special care to
electrical
appliances in the
bathroom and
kitchen.
-
Don't allow children
to play with or
around electrical
appliances like
space heaters, irons
and hair dryers.
-
Keep clothes,
curtains and other
potentially
combustible items at
least three feet
from all heaters.
-
If an appliance has
a three-prong plug,
use it only in a
three-slot outlet.
Never force it to
fit into a two-slot
outlet or extension
cord.
-
Never overload
extension cords or
wall sockets.
Immediately shut
off, then
professionally
replace, light
switches that are
hot to the touch and
lights that flicker.
Use safety closures
to "child-proof"
electrical outlets.
-
Check your
electrical tools
regularly for signs
of wear. If the
cords are frayed or
cracked, replace
them. Replace any
tool if it causes
even small
electrical shocks,
overheats, shorts
out or gives off
smoke or sparks.
cell
850-319-3888 
