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Each year in North America, hundreds of people die and thousands more are
injured in accidents involving electrical fires or shocks. Most of these
incidents can be prevented by following simple electrical safety rules.
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Fuses and Circuit Breakers
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If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker is tripped, do not just replace or reset it.
Find out what caused the circuit overload and correct the problem.
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Never replace a fuse or circuit breaker with one that exceeds the amperage
rating for a given circuit.
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Avoid using several high-amperage appliances-such as irons or other
heat-producing appliances-on the same circuit.
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Never replace a fuse with a penny or any other material that conducts
electricity.
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GFCI
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GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, an electronic device that
constantly monitors the amount of current flowing through a circuit and cuts off
the electricity at the first sign of an imbalance. Because GFCIs respond to
excessive amperage demands faster than fuses or circuit breakers can, they
protect you from prolonged electrical shocks by interrupting the current flow
before a healthy person can be seriously injured. Inexpensive GFCIs can be
hard-wired into your home's electrical service, installed or plugged in at
outlets or built into extension cords. Test and reset GFCIs monthly to ensure
they are working properly.
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Electrical Outlets
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Have a professional electrician replace old or damaged outlets with modern,
three-wired, polarized receptacles. Proper grounding is essential to minimize
fire and shock hazards.
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Plugs should match outlets. Three-pronged plugs require three-wired receptacles
or a properly grounded adapter. Polarized plugs (now standard), with one prong
wider than the other, require polarized receptacles.
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Never cut off or bend the ground pin of a three-pronged plug. This ground
connection protects you from severe shock caused by a faculty cord or
malfunctioning appliance.
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Protect children from electrical shock by installing plastic safety inserts in
unused outlets.
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Appliances
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All household appliances should bear the label of an independent testing
laboratory indicating those meet basic safety standards. Keep heat-producing
appliances such as electric space heaters, electric ranges and irons at least
three feet (one meter) away from furniture, curtains, bedding or anything that
will burn. Allow plenty of air space around televisions, computers and stereos
to prevent overheating. Keep electrical cords away from heat-producing
appliances such as toasters and coffee makers.
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Be sure that detachable appliance cords such as those used with coffee makers,
deep-fat fryers and popcorn poppers are rated for the electrical load
requirements of the appliance.
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Electrical Cords
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Keep electrical cords out of traffic paths and away from areas where children
play.
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Maintain all electrical cords. Replace any cord that is cracked, frayed or
otherwise damaged.
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Never pinch an electrical cord against walls or furniture.
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Do not run extension cords under carpets or across doorways.
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Outdoor Power
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Use only weatherproof fixtures and GFCI outlets with weatherproof covers for
outdoor installations.
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Never run outdoor extension cords across lawns for seasonal lighting displays or
run any extension cord across driveways or traffic areas.
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Never use electrical appliances outdoors in wet weather or when the ground or
grass is wet, unless the appliance is specifically designed and labeled by an
independent testing lab for such use.
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Appliances used outdoors should be plugged into receptacles protected by ground
fault circuit interrupters.
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Lighting
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Place lamps on level, uncluttered surfaces and be sure that lampshades are
secure enough to protect the bulb from breaking if the lamp is knocked over.
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Light bulbs should not exceed the wattage recommended for a lamp or fixture.
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Power Lines
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Report downed power lines and mark the area to warn others.
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Never go near or touch a power line. Doing so can result in a fatal shock or
severe injury.
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Keep ladders, especially metal ones, away from power lines. This includes
overhead electrical service to your home.
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Warning Signs
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You can stop many electrical problems before they cause a fire or shock. Be
alert to the following danger signs:
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Recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers.
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Feeling a tingle when you touch an electrical appliance.
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Discoloration of wall outlets.
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A burning smell or unusual odor coming from an appliance or wiring.
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Sizzling sound at wall switches or outlets.
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Flickering lights: If you cannot locate a problem inside your home, call your
power company or an electrician immediately to inspect the electrical connection
to your home at your electric meter. (Outdoor meters are extremely vulnerable to
weather damage.)
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When you spot a warning sign, do not wait for an accident. Take action at once!
Unplug a malfunctioning appliance if you can do so safely. If necessary, cut off
power to the problem circuit by disconnecting the fuse or tripping the circuit
breaker manually. Call a professional electrician to correct the problem.
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