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Home Safety

Many safety hazards are obvious and can been seen, smelled or heard: that wrinkled rug you could trip on, spoiled food that could make you sick, icy pavement that could cause a nasty fall, or a weather siren announcing an impending tornado.

Electrical hazards, however, are often undetectable. While some you can see, smell or feel, (outlets that are warm to the touch or lights that constantly flicker, for example), many others you cannot.

Here are some electrical safety tips to keep in mind in and around your home:

Fire Prevention: 
Don’t Get Burned!

Electricity usually makes life easier by powering kitchen appliances, gadgets, and electronics we use for entertainment. However, that same electricity contains the potential to destroy homes and take lives. Electric fires are more destructive than any other type of fire, and they are twice as deadly.

Safe Electricity has the following information to help you keep your electric system safe.

  • Consider getting an electric inspection of your home, especially if it is an older home, or you have never had an inspection.
     
  • If an electrical fire starts in your home, do not use water to extinguish it. Water conducts electricity, and you could get an electric shock. Use an extinguisher that is approved for use on electric fires.
     
  • Flickering lights, warm, cracked, or sparking outlets all indicate electrical problems and should be examined by a professional electrician.
     
  • If circuits trip, fuses blow, someone gets a shock, your home has an electric problem. Get an electric inspection.
     
  • Do not overload outlets, use an extension cord as a permanent wiring solution, or use light bulbs that are not rated for the socket.
     
  • Contact an electrician about installing an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). An AFCI monitors the flow of electricity in your home. If the flow of electricity is irregular and could cause a fire, the AFCI shuts off electricity. An AFCI costs around $35, plus the cost of professional installation. The cost also depends on the size of your home and how many circuit breakers you have.
     
  • Inspect electric plugs and cords annually. If they are frayed or cracked, repair or replace them. Do not place cords under rugs, or staple or nail them to the wall.

Space Heaters and Electric Blankets Tips

Do not let your efforts to stay warm put your safety at risk. Space heaters and electric blankets can be efficient ways to stay warm, but they can also be dangerous.

  • Read and follow all space heater and electric blanket instructions.
     
  • Check space heaters and electric blankets before use. Cords should not be frayed, brittle, or cracked. The blanket should not have any charred or dark areas.
     
  • Turn space heaters and electric blankets off when not in use.
     
  • Choose a space heater with a safety certification. You should look for the UL, ETL, or CSA mark on space heaters and electric blankets. These verify that the product has been tested for safety.
     
  • Look for a space heater that has guards from heating elements and automatically shuts off if it is tipped over.
     
  • One of the biggest causes of fires is one of the most easily avoidable. Many fires start when flammable products are placed too close to heating devices, such as space heaters. Space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet from blankets, clothing, paper, and other flammables.
     
  • Place space heaters out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, non-flammable floor surface—NOT on carpets, furniture, or countertops.
     
  • Pets should never be allowed to sleep on top of electric blankets.
     
  • Electric blanket wires should never be bent or tucked under a mattress.
     
  • Do not attempt to warm your entire home using space heaters. Space heaters are useful in small areas, such as a study or living room. However, if you need to keep large areas warm, your home heating system will do the job more efficiently.
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