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FAYPWC.COM

Safety

While electricity makes living easier and more enjoyable, right now, you could be living with dangerous electrical hazards.

Learn these safety tips and stay safe at home:
  • Call before you dig. Click here to learn more.
  • Have a qualified electrical contractor inspect your home to be sure it is properly grounded.
  • Large appliances should have their own circuit and be grounded with a three-pronged plug.
  • Never stand in water or on a damp floor when using electrical appliances – and don’t put any electrical parts in water.
  • Don’t locate your swimming pool under power lines.
  • Keep appliances in good condition.
  • Always unplug appliances – by pulling the plug, not the cord – when not in use.
  • Replace the appliance when a cord is worn or frayed. Remember, extension cords should only be used temporarily.
  • Don’t do amateur repairs on your appliances. Call a qualified technician. Never insert metal objects like knives or forks into a toaster.
  • If power shuts off in your home, try to find the cause. It may be a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. When resetting circuit breakers, don’t stand on a damp floor.
  • Never replace fuses with a copper penny or wrap one in aluminum foil.
  • Call a qualified electrician for inspection if power does not resume.
  • Be sure to keep space heaters clear of anything flammable, such as curtains or bed linens.
  • Purchase heaters that have automatic shut-off devices when knocked over.
  • Always unplug space heaters when not in use.
  • When using power tools, be sure your equipment is adequate for the job. There must be enough circuits of the correct size and all must be well grounded.
  • Use the safety release to prevent accidental starting.
  • Keep tools clean, and use and store them in a dry place. Dampness increases shock hazard.
  • Protect cords from heat, chemicals, gases, or oil and coil them loosely when finished.

Child Safety
  • Cover seldom-used outlets with well-fitting plastic safety plugs.
  • For outlets used frequently, get safety covers that let appliance cords pass in and out.
  • Never leave light bulb sockets empty. Replace burned out lights immediately.
  • Keep floors clear of small metal objects children may use to poke in outlets.
  • Put fans and portable heaters out of children’s reach.

Power Line Safety
  • Look up before raising a ladder or pole to make sure that it will not come within 10 feet of any power lines.
  • Use wooden or fiberglass ladders outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
  • Contact your utility company immediately to report downed power lines outside your home.
  • Always assume fallen power lines are energized. Stay at least ten feet away from a downed power line and any nearby objects it may be touching, such as a fence or a tree limb.
  • Never touch a person who is in contact with a downed power line. Call 911 immediately.
  • Downed power lines can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or even death. Electricity wants to move from a high voltage zone to a low voltage zone – and it could do that through your body.
  • Click here for more downer power line safety tips.

Holiday Safety
  • Inspect electrical decorations for damage before use.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets.
  • Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights.
  • Keep trees fresh by watering daily.
  • Use battery-operated candles.
  • Keep combustibles at least three feet from heat sources.
  • Protect cords from damage.
  • Check decorations for certification label.
  • Stay in the kitchen when something is cooking.
  • Turn off, unplug, and extinguish all decorations when going to sleep or leaving the house.