Indoor Electrical Safety
In our daily life, electricity provides comfort and convenience. It makes modern living possible. If electricity is used incorrectly, however, it can be harmful, even fatal. Remember to read the warning labels on appliances, and to use caution when working with electrical devices.
Appliances
- Do not use electric appliances when you are taking a bath or standing near a sink.
- Never use any electric appliance on a wet surface, while wet or standing in water.
- Make sure your hands are dry when using an appliance.
- Use electrical appliances with three-pronged plugs.
- Use appliances with the Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) symbol.
- Never hang clothes or place furniture near an electric heater or
- hot plate.
- Keep electric heaters at least four (4) feet from furniture and drapes.
- Keep electric heaters on a level non-flammable surface.
- Never go to sleep with a heating pad or space heater turned on.
- Never place appliance cords where they will come into contact with the stove or other heated surfaces.
- Unplug all electrical appliances when not in use.
- Unplug all electrical appliances before repairing or cleaning.
- Unplug an appliance that has fallen into water before attempting to retrieve it.
- Turn off a light before replacing the bulb.
- Never pull out an electrical plug by the cord.
- If your smoke detector runs on electricity, have a battery backup in case of a power failure.
- Do not touch an electrical appliance with a metal object.
Wires/Fuses/Outlets
- Do not stick any object other than an electrical plug into an outlet.
- Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords with new ones; you can purchase these at your local hardware store.
- Keep electrical cords out of traffic areas in the home.
- Keep electrical cords out from under rugs and heavy furniture.
- Do not overload outlets with too many appliances; make use of other outlets in the room.
- Use extension cords minimally.
- When outside, use only extension cords that are approved for outdoor use.
- Use a long extension cord. It is better than using several shorter lengths.
- When replacing circuit breakers and fuses, use the correct size device.
- Protect outdoor outlets with protective, weatherproof covers.
- Hire an electrician to install a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in your bathroom and kitchen where appliances are used near water.
- Hire an electrician to install GFCIs on all outdoor outlets.
- Keep outdoor wiring on a separate circuit.
- Know the location of the main electrical switch in the home.
- Never force a plug into an outlet.
Be Prepared for Power Outages
- Keep several flashlights around the house.
- Always have extra batteries, make sure they are fresh. Candles and matches must be used with extreme care and should never be left unattended.
- Own a battery-powered radio to hear news bulletins.
- Keep bottled water on hand.
- Keep canned and other non-perishable foods available.
- Own a manual can opener.
