Indoor Electrical Safety
There are many potential dangers related to electricity in your home. Here are a few tips to help you avoid accidents and spot potential problems.
- Replace cords that are damaged or frayed.
- Never put your finger – or anything other than an electrical plug – in an outlet. Don’t touch the metal part of the plug when plugging something into an outlet.
- Never place cords under carpet or rugs.
- Extension cords are only for temporary use. Prolonged use of extension cords can cause overheating and fire.
- Never pull a cord; always pull the plug.
- Don’t touch a switch if your hands are wet.
- If appliances are used near a sink, turn them off after each use.
- Don’t use a hair dryer when your hands are wet, or when you are standing on a damp floor, in a wet tub or in a shower.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when operating heating pads and electric blankets.
- Use caution and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using electric appliances around children.
- Ensure outlet safety with children by using outlet covers or plastic outlet caps.
Outdoor Electrical Safety
It is important to use extreme caution and stay away from overhead power lines. Electricity is always trying to go somewhere. It goes easily through materials like metal, water, trees, the ground, and things with water in them – like animals and PEOPLE. It does not go easily through rubber, plastic, glass, dry wood or wax.
- Look up! Always examine your surroundings for power line locations before doing any outside work.
- Electricity and water don’t mix. Keep electrical appliances and toys away from water, including rain, wet ground, swimming pools, sprinklers and hoses.
- Use care when painting. When house painting, ensure that nothing, including you, your ladder, your paintbrush or roller, comes in contact with the power line supplying electricity to your home.
- Never climb utility poles, towers or substation fences.
- Obey warning signs. “DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE” and other warning signs are posted in some locations. But remember, all electrical equipment can be dangerous.
- Stay inside during storms. When there is lightning outdoors, get inside a building or car if possible. Keep away from windows and open doors.
- Fly kites, model planes and balloons safely. Fly them only in wide-open spaces like a field or on a beach. Never fly them around power lines. And never use metal, foil or wire in your kite or kite string.
- Do not throw objects up into power lines. This can cause short circuits, and could result in injuries. This includes items you might not consider conductive, like ropes and strings.