While most electrical fires are caused by faulty wiring or overloaded circuits, most electrocutions in the home are caused by improper or careless use of appliances and small electrical devices. Electrical accidents can occur in any room in your home — and outdoors — so always be on the lookout for opportunities to eliminate safety hazards.
Inside your home
- Cover all electrical outlets and wall switches with cover plates, and replace any that are damaged.
- Protect small children and pets by using plastic safety covers in all unused outlets and keeping cords out of sight and reach. A cord as short as 12 inches can strangle a child.
- Don’t yank electrical cords from the wall — this can damage both the plug and the outlet.
- Don’t attach a cord to another surface with nails or staples which could break the insulation. Try not to twist, bend or walk on cords.
- Don’t use damaged or brittle electrical cords, even if bare wires aren’t visible.
- Make sure all electrical devices are in good repair — double-insulated tools and appliances are the safest. If a damaged wire inside a tool or appliance touches the body of the device, it would be the same as touching a bare wire. Never attempt to fix an electrical appliance or tool unless the unit is unplugged.
- Use extension cords only on a temporary basis, and don’t plug one extension cord into another.
- If you need to plug multiple devices into a single outlet, as with a home office or entertainment system, use a quality surge suppressor with enough sockets for every component. Don’t use inexpensive outlet “extenders” with three or four sockets.
- Keep all electrical devices away from water sources.
- Don’t run electrical cords under carpets — this can cause them to overheat and catch fire. Also avoid running cords under furniture, which can damage the insulating cover.
- If you need to turn off the power to install lighting or replace an outlet, flag the fuse or breaker switch so no one else touches it while you’re working. If you’re not sure which circuit you’ll be working on, turn off the main breaker switch or remove the primary fuse cartridge.
Outdoor Safety Tips:
- All outdoor outlets, including those in garages, should have waterproof covers and GFCIs (see page 7).
- If you’ll be using a ladder or pole, or working on the roof, always look up for power lines. Even wooden ladders can conduct electricity through their metal screws. Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines
- Don’t assume the black coating on wires is insulation — it could be just plastic weatherproofing that provides no protection from contact injuries.
- Call a professional for help trimming trees near power lines, and don’t let kids climb trees near power lines.
- Keep flying toys like balloons, kites and model airplanes away from power lines.
- Keep electrical devices and cords away from water.
- If you have a pad mount transformer (usually a large green metal box) in your yard, keep children and pets away. If the door is open or the lock is broken, give us a call to have a customer service mechanic fix it. Don’t disguise the transformer with paint or plantings — a utility worker might need to work safely around it or find it quickly in an emergency.
- Teach kids to stay far away from substations, and explain what the warning signs mean. If a toy or pet accidentally gets inside a substation, give us a call — we’ll be happy to retrieve it for you.
- Don’t hang signs on utility poles. Nails, staples or tacks can pose a big danger to workers who must climb the poles.
- Never tamper with an electric meter (it’s dangerous and illegal), and keep it free of ice and snow during the winter.
- If a power line accidentally contacts your car in an accident or during a storm, stay in the vehicle until help arrives and don’t let others approach. If a fire is imminent and you need to leave the vehicle, hop out on both feet, being careful not to touch the car and the ground at the same time. Continue hopping with your feet together until you’re as far away as possible.
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