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.
