By AJ Danboise
May is National Electrical Safety Month, and we want to help raise awareness!
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) uses the month of May to campaign for better electrical safety practices in an effort to “reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss.” Here at AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we want to help too.
If you are experiencing problems with any part of your electrical system, be sure to call a professional right away. Having a licensed and trained technician take a look at your system is invaluable in protecting your home, family, and property from electrical disasters. Even if your electrical system is healthy, it can still be easy to make a mistake that causes electrocution of electrical fires. Here are a few electrical safety tips to keep in mind at your home.
Helpful Electrical Safety Tips for Your Home
Cord & Plug Electrical Safety Tips
- Before you use them, check your cords for any signs of damage: cracks, frays, or kinks. If you see signs of wear and tear, replace the cords right away.
- Cords should be plugged in to outlets firmly, not hanging out loosely.
- Do not overload outlets. Use a power strip or multiple different outlets rather than plugging in too many devices at the same time.
- Pull on the base of the plug and not the cord when you disconnect your devices.
- Since water and metal both conduct electricity, do not remove a plug while your hands are wet or you are touching a metal object.
- The third prong hole in your outlet receptacle is important, so don’t bypass it! That prong redirects electrical surges into the ground so that they won’t cause harm to you or your home. When you purchase extension cords and power strips, make sure the plugs have three prongs.
- Do not place extension cords underneath rugs or carpet. They can become damaged without you realizing it, and they will not be able to stay as cool as possible as heat is trapped underneath the surface.
Appliance Electrical Safety Tips
- Protect your kiddos. Be sure to unplug appliances you are no longer using – and stow their cords away.
- Never poke anything down inside an appliance while it is plugged in. (The bread crumbs in your toaster can wait.
- Do not touch any appliance with wet hands.
- Keep clothes, toys, curtains, and other fire-hazard materials away from appliances that generate heat. This includes vents, space heaters, radiators, kitchen appliances, and more.
Light Bulb Electrical Safety Tips
- Pay attention to the correct wattage for each of your fixtures, and make sure those are the bulbs you purchase and use.
- Always turn off or unplug fixtures and lamps before you change a light bulb.
Electrical Panel & Fuse Safety Tips
- If a fuse blows, make sure you turn off or unplug everything on its circuit before you replace it. This includes lights, appliances, and anything else drawing power.
- Check that your fuses are plugged in securely at regular intervals. If they become loose, they can overheat.
We hope these electrical safety tips will help you and your family stay safe while you enjoy your devices.
If you need to improve the electrical safety in your home by making some upgrades to your electrical system, AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical is here to help. Give us a call at (248) 477-3626.