Electric Hazards

Space heaters should be placed at least 3 to 4 feet from flammable materials such as curtains, rugs, furniture or newspapers. Extension cords should be avoided. Heaters can cause fires or serious burns if you trip over them or if they are knocked over. Make sure the heater has a 3-prong grounded plug and used in a 3-hole wall outlet.

Make sure your electric blanket is in good condition. Look for cracks or breaks in the wiring, plugs or connectors and look for charred spots on both sides of the blanket surfaces. Any of these conditions indicates a potential fire hazard.

To prevent excessive heat buildup, make sure nothing covers your electric blanket, such as quilts, blankets or pets. Never "tuck in" the sides or ends of your electric blanket. The heating coils may become damaged or bent and may cause a fire.

Fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices located on your electrical panel. Use the correct size fuse for your fuse box. Replacing a fuse with the wrong size fuse can be a fire hazard.

Don't run electrical cords underneath rugs, carpets or furniture. Stepping on cords can damage them, creating a fire hazard.

Appliances, such as a hairdryer, curling iron or toaster, can be potentially hazardous if left plugged in, especially during an electrical storm.

Don't use electrical appliances near water. Remember, electricity and water don't mix.

Electricity and water don't mix. Keep all electrical products and cords, such as radio, TV, hairdryer or curling iron, away from water, including sinks and tubs.

Never reach into water to get an appliance that has fallen in without first unplugging the appliance.

Unplug your toaster or toaster oven before using a knife or fork to remove stuck bread or bagels.

To prevent overheating, make sure there is nothing covering your electric blanket. And, don't "tuck in" the sides or ends of your electric blanket.

Sleeping on a heating pad or electric sheet may cause serious burns even at relatively low settings.

To avoid electric shock during a lightning storm, unplug appliances before the storm hits, and avoid using a phone or fax machine. Remember to unplug unnecessary electrical products when they are not in use.

Never remove the third prong of a three-pronged plug. It can protect you from electrical shock. Instead, convert two-pronged outlets to fit three-pronged plugs using an adapter with a ground tab.

Turn off electrical products if a cord overheats.

Use only weather-resistant heavy gauge extension cords marked "For Outdoor Use."

Be sure amperage ratings for outdoor extension cords are higher than those electrical products they are used with. Check owners manuals and electrical labels.

Outdoor electrical products should be:

plugged in and turned on only when in use

never left unattended outdoors

turned off when being carried or being hooked up to attachments like mower baskets or saw blades.

	Never remove safety guards from lawnmowers, power tools, etc.
	Unless you are a qualified electrician, never try to repair electrical products yourself.
	Use safety goggles when operating lawn equipment and wear special safety gear suggested in power tool manuals.
	Clean up the area before mowing the lawn or using electrical clippers or trimmers.
	Keep cords out of your path or work area. Throwing the cord over your shoulder may help.
	Keep outdoor outlets and electrical products covered and dry between uses.
	Select a dry day to power up outdoors.
	If an electrical tool falls into a pool or pond, unplug it first. Do not reach into the water for it.
	Put a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) between your electric power source and your electric tool. In a mishap, a GFCI can cut off power in less than a second. A GFCI is an electrical device that can protect you from electrical shock and may prevent fires. They should be installed in kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor receptacles. You may have a GFCI built into your outdoor outlets. Or they may be in your mower, trimmer or drill. (Check your owner's manual.)
	No GFCI? Contact a licensed electrician for professional installation.
	If plugs seem to fit loosely into a wall outlet, the wall outlet needs repair. A loose fitting wall outlet may cause overheating. Have an electrician check the outlet.
	Use only extension cords that have been listed by a recognized certification organization.
	Make sure cords are in good condition - not frayed or cracked. Make sure they are placed out of traffic areas. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or to another object and they should not have any furniture resting on them.
	Check to see that extension cords are not overheated. Additionally, extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; they are not safe as permanent household wiring.
	Make sure the proper-type plug is in each outlet. If you are using three-prong plugs in a room with two-conductor outlets, do not cut off the ground pin (the third/bottom prong) from the plug; this could lead to an electrical shock hazard. A better solution is to use a two-prong adapter. NEVER FORCE A PLUG INTO AN OUTLET IF IT DOESN'T FIT. This could lead to fire or shock. Plugs should fit securely into outlets, and outlets should not be overloaded.
	Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) can prevent many electrocutions. GFCIs are devices installed in kitchen and bathroom outlets. They should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. Test GFCIs regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions to make sure they are working properly. Need to install a GFCI? Contact a licensed electrician for professional installation.
	Check the wattage of all light bulbs in lighting fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the size of the fixture. Replace bulbs that have higher wattage than recommended; if you don't know the correct wattage, check with the manufacturer of the fixture. Make sure bulbs are screwed in securely; loose bulbs may overheat.
	Circuit breakers and fuses should be the correct sizes for the circuits. If you do not know the correct size fuse, have an electrician identify and label the sizes to be used. Never replace a fuse with anything but another correct size fuse.
	If one appliance repeatedly blows a fuse or trips a circuit breaker, or if it has emitted an electric shock, unplug it and have it repaired or replaced.
	Water and electricity don't mix. Don't place any electrical appliances near water, i.e., a sink or a bathtub. Appliances that are used near water should be unplugged when not in use. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, unplug it and don't use it until it's been checked by a qualified repair person.
	Check to see that all entertainment/computer equipment is in good condition and working properly; look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs and connectors.
	Put safety covers on all wall outlets. Avoid ornamental safety caps that may tempt a child to play with wall outlets.
	Use extension cords on a temporary basis; they are not safe as permanent household wiring. Make sure the cord is not wrapped around itself or another object. Be sure the cord you have selected meets the intended use and check the electrical rating on both the appliance and extension cord. Do not plug one extension cord to another.
	Don't run electrical cords underneath rugs, carpets, or furniture. Walking on cords can break wiring and possibly cause a fire.
	Keep all electrical cords out of reach and out of sight to avoid children or pets from pulling appliances off tables or counters.
	Never leave lamp sockets empty. Always replace burned out light bulbs immediately.
	Don't allow pets to chew on electrical cords.

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