Shocking Facts
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.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
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If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker is tripped, don't just replace or
reset it. Find out what caused the circuit to 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.
GFCI
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 he seriously injured.
Inexpensive GFCIs can be hard-wired into your home electrical service,
installed or plugged in at outlets, or built into extension cords.
Test and reset GFCIs monthly to ensure they are working properly.
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 pill of a three-pronged plug. This
ground connection protects you from severe shock caused by a faulty cord
or malfunctioning appliance.
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Never alter the wide prong of a polarized plug to make it fit into an outdated
outlet. Have the outlet replaced and properly grounded.
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Protect children from electrical shock by installing plastic safety inserts
in unused outlets.
Appliances
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All household appliances should bear the label of an independent testing
laboratory, indicating that they meet basic safety standards.
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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.
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Allow plenty of air space around televisions, computers, and stereos to
prevent overheating.
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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.Electrical Cords
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.
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 driveways or traffic areas.
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Never use electrical appliances outdoors in wet weather or when 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 receptacles protected by ground
fault circuit interrupters.
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 remended for a lamp or fixture.
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.
Warning Signs
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You can spot 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 the meter base. (Outdoor meters are extremely
vulnerable to weather damage.)
When you spot a warniing sign, don’t 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 call your power company or an
electrician to correct the problem.
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