ELECTRICAL
FIRE SAFETYShocking
Facts
EACH YEAR IN North America, hundreds of people die and thousands more are injured in
accidents involving electrical fires or shocks. Most of these incidents can be prevented
by following simple electrical-safety rules.
EACH YEAR IN North America, hundreds of people die and thousands more are injured in
accidents involving electrical fires or shocks. Most of these incidents can be prevented
by following simple electrical-safety rules.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
* If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker is tripped, don't just
replace or reset it. Find out what caused the circuit to overload and correct the problem.
* Never replace a fuse or circuit breaker with one that
exceeds the amperage rating for a given circuit.
* Avoid using several high-amperage appliances - such as
irons or other heat-producing appliances - on the same circuit.
* Never replace a fuse with a penny or any other material
that conducts electricity.
GFCI
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, an electronic device that constantly
monitors the amount of current flowing through a circuit and cuts off the electricity at
the first sign of an imbalance. Because GFCI's respond to excessive amperage demands
faster than fuses or circuit breakers can, they protect you from prolonged electrical
shocks by interrupting the current flow before a healthy person can be seriously injured.
Inexpensive GFCI's can be hard-wired into your home's electrical service, installed or
plugged in at outlets, or built into extension cords. Test and reset GFCI's monthly to
ensure they are working properly.
Electrical Outlets
* Have a professional electrician replace old or damaged
outlets with modern, three-wired, polarized receptacles. Proper grounding is essential to
minimize fire and shock hazards.
* Plugs should match outlets. Three-pronged plugs require
three-wired receptacles or a properly grounded adapter. Polarized plugs (now standard),
with one prong wider than the other, require polarized receptacles.
* Never cut off or bend the ground pin of a three-pronged
plug. This ground connection protects you from severe shock caused by a faulty cord or
malfunctioning appliance.
* Never alter the wide prong of a polarized plug to make it
fit into an outdated outlet. Have the outlet replaced and properly grounded.
* Protect children from electrical shock by installing
plastic safety inserts in unused outlets.
* Have a professional electrician replace old or damaged
outlets with modern, three-wired, polarized receptacles. Proper grounding is essential to
minimize fire and shock hazards.
* Plugs should match outlets. Three-pronged plugs require
three-wired receptacles or a properly grounded adapter. Polarized plugs (now standard),
with one prong wider than the other, require polarized receptacles.
* Never cut off or bend the ground pin of a three-pronged
plug. This ground connection protects you from severe shock caused by a faulty cord or
malfunctioning appliance.
* Never alter the wide prong of a polarized plug to make it
fit into an outdated outlet. Have the outlet replaced and properly grounded.
* Protect children from electrical shock by installing
plastic safety inserts in unused outlets.
Appliances
* All household appliances should bear the label of an
independent testing laboratory, indicating that they meet basic safety standards.
* Keep heat-producing appliances, such as electric space
heaters, electric ranges, and irons at least three feet (one meter) away from furniture,
curtains, bedding, or anything that will burn.
* Allow plenty of air space around televisions, computers,
and stereos to prevent overheating.
* Keep electrical cords away from heat-producing appliances,
such as toasters and coffee makers.
*
* All household appliances should bear the label of an
independent testing laboratory, indicating that they meet basic safety standards.
* Keep heat-producing appliances, such as electric space
heaters, electric ranges, and irons at least three feet (one meter) away from furniture,
curtains, bedding, or anything that will burn.
* Allow plenty of air space around televisions, computers,
and stereos to prevent overheating.
* Keep electrical cords away from heat-producing appliances,
such as toasters and coffee makers.
* Be
sure that detachable appliance cords, such as those used with coffee makers, deep-fat
fryers, and popcorn poppers are rated for the electrical-load requirements of the
appliance.
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Electrical Cords
* Keep electrical cords out of traffic paths and away
from areas where children play.
*
* Keep electrical cords out of traffic paths and away
from areas where children play.
* Maintain
all electrical cords. Replace any cord that is cracked, frayed, or otherwise damaged.
* Never pinch an electrical cord against walls or furniture.
* Do not run extension cords under carpets or across
doorways.
Outdoor Power
* Use only weatherproof fixtures and GFCI outlets with
weatherproof covers for outdoor installations.
* Never run outdoor extension cords across lawns for seasonal
lighting displays or run any extension cord across driveways or traffic areas.
* Never use electrical appliances outdoors in wet weather or
when the ground or grass is wet, unless the appliance is specifically designed and labeled
by an independent testing lab for such use.
* Appliances used outdoors should be plugged into receptacles
protected by ground fault circuit interrupters
* Use only weatherproof fixtures and GFCI outlets with
weatherproof covers for outdoor installations.
* Never run outdoor extension cords across lawns for seasonal
lighting displays or run any extension cord across driveways or traffic areas.
* Never use electrical appliances outdoors in wet weather or
when the ground or grass is wet, unless the appliance is specifically designed and labeled
by an independent testing lab for such use.
* Appliances used outdoors should be plugged into receptacles
protected by ground fault circuit interrupters
Lighting
* Place lamps on level, uncluttered surfaces and be sure that
lampshades are secure enough to protect the bulb from breaking if the lamp is knocked
over.
* Light bulbs should not exceed the wattage recommended for a
lamp or fixture.
Power Lines
* Report downed power lines and mark the area to warn
others.
* Never go near or touch a power line. Doing so can result in
a fatal shock or severe injury.
* Keep ladders, especially metal ones, away from power lines.
This includes overhead electrical service to your home.
* Report downed power lines and mark the area to warn
others.
* Never go near or touch a power line. Doing so can result in
a fatal shock or severe injury.
* Keep ladders, especially metal ones, away from power lines.
This includes overhead electrical service to your home.
Warning Signs
You can spot many electrical problems before they cause a fire or shock. Be alert to
the following danger signs:
* Recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit
breakers.
* Feeling a tingle when you touch an electrical seasonal
light.
*
You can spot many electrical problems before they cause a fire or shock. Be alert to
the following danger signs:
* Recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit
breakers.
* Feeling a tingle when you touch an electrical seasonal
light.
* Discoloration
of wall outlets.
* A burning smell or unusual odor coming from an appliance or
wiring.
* Sizzling sound at wall switches or outlets.
* Flickering lights. If you cannot locate a problem inside
your home, call your power company or an electrician immediately to inspect the electrical
connection to your home at your electric meter. (Outdoor meters are extremely vulnerable
to weather damage.)
When you spot a warning sign, don't
wait for an accident. Take action at once. Unplug a malfunctioning appliance if you can do
so safely. If necessary, cut off power to the problem circuit by disconnecting the fuse or
tripping the circuit breaker manually. Call a professional electrician to correct the
problem.
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