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Bathroom safety
- Use extra caution when using
appliances near water. Hair dryers,
curling irons, electric razors,
radios and television sets should be
kept away from the sink and tub. If
an appliance falls into the water,
unplug it first. NEVER reach into
water to retrieve an appliance
without unplugging it first. During
an electrical storm, do not use
appliances such as hairdryers or
telephones (except in an emergency);
and do not take a bath or shower.
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Kitchen safety
- Never stick a metal object such as
a knife into a toaster to retrieve a
piece of toast without unplugging it
first. Keep kitchen appliances away
from the sink. If a toaster, radio
or other appliance does fall into a
sink with water in it, unplug the
appliance before retrieving it.
During an electrical storm, do not
use appliances (i.e., toasters and
radios) or telephones (except in an
emergency).
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Appliances -
If an appliance repeatedly blows a
fuse, trips a circuit breaker or if
it has given you a shock, unplug it
and have it repaired or replaced.
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Lights - Use
light bulbs that are the proper
wattage for your light fixtures and
lamps. Bulbs which are not proper
wattage can overheat causing a fire.
Replace light bulbs when they burn
out. Make sure bulbs are screwed in
securely; loose bulbs may overheat.
And never leave an empty socket!
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Halogen floor
lamps - Halogen floor lamps
operate at much higher temperatures
than a standard incandescent light
bulb. Never place a halogen floor
lamp where it could come in contact
with draperies, clothing or other
combustible materials. Be sure to
turn the lamp off whenever you leave
the room for an extended period of
time and never use torchiere lamps
in children's bedrooms or playrooms.
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Space heaters
- Exercise extreme caution when
using space heaters. Make sure they
are three or four feet away from any
flammable object. Keep space heaters
at least 3 ft. away from any
combustible materials such as
bedding, clothing, draperies,
furniture and rugs. Don't use in
rooms where children are
unsupervised and remember to turn
off and unplug when not in use. The
space heater should have a
three-prong grounded plug and be
used in a three-hole outlet. Turn
off a space heater when your leave
the room or go to bed at night.
Space Heaters are meant to supply
supplemental heat only.
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Electric blankets
- Check your blanket for broken or
frayed cords. Also, do not tuck an
electric blanket in at the sides of
the bed as this can break the
internal heating coils, potentially
causing a fire. It is a good idea to
warm the bed with an electric
blanket and then turn it off once
you are ready to go to sleep. An
electric blanket, even on a low
setting, can cause burns.
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Outlets -
Check for outlets that have
loose-fitting plugs, which can
overheat and lead to fire. Replace
any missing or broken wall plates.
When small children and pets are
present in a home, or visit
frequently, it is wise to keep
outlets covered with plastic covers.
These prevent children from
accidentally sticking something in
the outlet and suffering a shock.
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Plugs - Make
sure your plugs fit your outlets.
Never remove the ground pin (the
third prong) to make a three-prong
fit a two-conductor outlet; this
could lead to an electrical shock.
NEVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET IF
IT DOESN'T FIT. Plugs should fit
securely into outlets. Avoid
overloading outlets with too many
appliances.
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Cords - Make
sure cords are in good conditions -
not frayed or cracked. Make sure
they are placed out of traffic
areas. Cords should never be nailed
or stapled to the wall, baseboard or
to another object. Do not place
cords under carpets or rugs or rest
any furniture on them.
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Extension Cords
- Check to see that cords are not
overloaded. Additionally, extension
cords should only be used on a
temporary basis; they are not
intended as permanent household
wiring. Make sure extension cords
have safety closures to help prevent
young children from shock hazards
and mouth burn injuries.
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Fuses and Circuit
Breakers - Fuses and circuit
breakers should be the correct size
for the circuit. Always replace
fuses with another correct size fuse
for the circuit. If you do not know
the correct size, have an
electrician identify and label the
size to be used.
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Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) -
GFCIs can help prevent
electrocution. They should be used
in any area where water and
electricity may come into contact.
When a GFCI senses current leakage
in an electrical circuit, it assumes
a ground fault has occurred. It then
interrupts power fast enough to help
prevent serious injury from
electrical shock. Test GFCIs
regularly according to the
manufacturer's instructions to make
sure they are working properly.
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Water and
Electricity Don't Mix - Don't
leave plugged in appliances where
they might fall in contact with
water. If a plugged-in appliance
falls into water, NEVER reach in to
pull it out - even if it's turned
off. First turn off the power source
at the panel board and then unplug
the appliance. If you have an
appliance that has gotten wet, don't
use it until it has been checked by
a qualified repair person.
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Entertainment/Computer Equipment
- Check to see that the equipment is
in good condition and working
properly; look for cracks or damage
in wiring, plugs and connectors. Use
a surge protector bearing the seal
of a nationally recognized
certification agency.
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Outdoor Safety
- Electric-powered mowers and other
tools should not be used in the
rain, on wet grass or in wet
conditions. Inspect power tools and
electric lawn mowers before each use
for frayed power cords, broken plugs
and cracked or broken housings. If
damaged, stop using it immediately.
Repair it or replace it. Always use
an extension cord marked for outdoor
use and rated for the power needs of
your tools. Remember to unplug all
portable power tools when not in
use. Since metal ladders conduct
electricity, watch out for overhead
wires and power lines.
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Install a carbon
monoxide detector that sounds an
audible alarm near each sleeping
area.
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Check all venting
systems to the outside to make
certain they're free of
obstructions.
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Have gas appliances
services annually. Better yet,
replace them with electric
appliances that produce no carbon
monoxide.
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Never use barbecue
grills indoors.
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Do not run your
vehicle in an attached garage with
the door closed.
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Seal cracks and other
openings in your house foundation.
This will limit the flow of radon
into your home and reduce the loss
of conditioned air.
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Install an air-to-air
heat exchanger to increase
ventilation.
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Inspect your home
each year at the beginning of the
heating season.
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Home
Safety Tips