Tens of thousands of fires
are caused each year by electrical problems inside the home, but most can be
easily prevented with a few simple steps. Taking a few minutes to check for and
eliminate electrical hazards is a New Year’s resolution that makes sense!
Electrical accidents and
fires kill more than a thousand people, and result in tens of thousands of
injuries each year. The leading causes of these home fires and electrical shocks
are overloaded outlets, misused and faulty cords and electrical devices.
It is always a good idea to
start early to educate children on the safe use of electricity. Good electrical
safety habits formed at a young age can mean a life time of electrical hazards
avoided. We at Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative and our friends at Safe
Electricity urge parents and other caregivers to make sure children are aware of
these hazards. Use this electrical safety checklist to help protect your home
and loved ones all year long:
• Electrical outlets –
Check for loose–fitting plugs, which can be a shock or fire hazard. Replace
missing or broken wall plates so wiring and components are not exposed. If you
have young children in the home, make sure unused outlets are covered.
• Plugs – Never force
them into outlets. Don’t remove the grounding pin (third prong) to make a
three-prong plug fit a two-conductor outlet. Avoid overloading outlets with
adapters and too many appliance plugs.
• Cords – Make sure they
are not frayed or cracked, placed under carpets or rugs, or located in high
traffic areas. Do not nail or staple them to walls, floors or other objects.
• Extension cords – Use
them on a temporary basis only. They are not intended as permanent household
wiring. Make sure they have safety closures to protect young children from shock
and mouth burn injuries.
• Light bulbs – Check
the wattage to make sure light bulbs match the fixture requirements and are
screwed securely in place. Replace bulbs that have higher wattage ratings than
recommended and consider replacing burned-out bulbs with compact fluorescent
light (CFL) bulbs, which can last ten times as long and use one-fourth the
energy of an incandescent bulb.
• Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupters (GFCIs) – Make sure GFCIs are installed in your kitchen,
bathrooms, laundry, workshop, basement and garage as well as on outdoor outlets.
Test them monthly to ensure they’re working properly.
• Circuit breakers/Fuses
– Fuses should be properly rated for the circuit they are protecting. If you
don’t know the correct rating, have an electrician identify and label the
correct size to be used. Always replace a fuse with the same size you are
removing. Check that circuit breakers are working properly.
• Appliances/Electronics
– If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker or has
given you an electrical shock, immediately unplug it and have it repaired or
replaced. Look for cracks or damage in wiring and connectors. Use surge
protectors to protect expensive electronics.
• Electrical wiring -
Wiring defects are a major cause of residential blazes. Check periodically for
loose wall receptacles, wires, or lighting fixtures. Listen for popping or
sizzling sounds behind walls. Immediately shut off, then professionally replace
light switches that are warm to the touch and lights that spark and flicker.
• Service capacity – As
you continue to upgrade your home with more lighting, appliances and
electronics, your home’s electrical service capacity may become overburdened.
If fuses blow or breakers trip frequently, you may need to increase electrical
service and add new branch circuits. A qualified, licensed electrician can
determine the appropriate service requirements for your home.
• Portable generators –
Be sure your generator is properly grounded and is not plugged into a home
outlet or connected directly to your home’s wiring system. A transfer switch
should always be installed to protect you, your neighbors, and repair crews from
serious injury resulting from backfeed. Follow all manufacturer’s installation
instructions and if have questions call a licensed electrician for help. Also
notify your local utility that a backup generator has been installed.