Electrical hazards and saftey in the home.
Electricity is the most dangerous hazard within the home. High voltage is moving at record speeds, and is odorless. When an electrical accidents strikes, it can only destroy property and objects in its path. When electricity comes in contact with a person, electric shock and burns can potentially severely disfigure or disable them, if not kill them.
Check your power sources for electrical hazards:
- Frayed or worn electric cords on electrical tools and equipment.
- Multiple Appliance plugs on a single switch.
- Electrical appliances such as radios, hair dryers, shavers, portable lamps, or radiators used near wet conditions such as showers, baths or swimming pools, need to be used in GFCI location only. Electrical appliances that trip, blow fuses, overheat, or spark heavily.
Turn off electrical hazards permanently by doing the following:
- First get rid of frayed, worn, or damaged cords. Do not be repaired with tape. Throw them out.
- Next always turn an appliance off before unplugging it.
- When unplugging an appliance, make sure to hold the plug and not the cord.
- Then turn off small appliances when not in use.
- Make sure outdoor appliances don’t come into contact with wet locations such as pools or puddles of water. Material use outdoors needs to be rated for outdoor use.
- When using electricity in wet areas, always wear rubber sole shoes and remove jewelry.
- Never touch appliances or switches with wet hands.
- Never fold or crumple an electric blanket.
- Call a licensed electrician for any repairs needed.
- Get faulty appliances repaired or throw them out. Do not attempt to repair them yourself unless you are qualified.
- Use plug-in covers to prevent children from poking objects into outlets.
- Make sure to unplug electrical appliances after using them.
- Make sure to place electrical appliances where children are unable to reach them.
Eliminate Threats to Prevent Electrical Injuries
Each year approximately 1,000 residents in the United States die as result of electric shock. An additional 5,000 individuals seek emergency treatment for electric shocks. Approximately 20% of all electrical injuries occur in children. With the most occurring in toddlers and adolescents.
Outlets
Avoid overloading with too many appliances. Replace wall plates that are broken, if children are present, make sure to have safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to them. Install ground fault circuit interrupters in wet locations.
Plugs
Check for loose fitting plugs that can overheat and lead to fire. Additionally you should never remove the ground pin in order to make a three prong plug to fit a two conductor outlet. It could lead to electrical shock. All plugs should fit securely into an outlet. Do not force plugs.
Cords
Check cords for damage, fraying, or cracking. Do not nail or staple them to walls or other objects, and don’t let furniture rest on them. Cords should not be placed in high traffic areas. Extension cords are for temporary use only and should not be considered permanent household wiring. Do not overload cords or extension cords.
Light Bulbs
Check the wattage of all bulbs in light fixtures to make sure that they are the correct wattage for the size of the fixture. Next replace bulbs that have a higher wattage than necessary, if you’re unsure of the right wattage to use, ask the manufacturer. At this point make sure light bulbs are screwed in tightly to avoid overheating.
Appliances
If one appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker, or if it has given you a shock, unplug it. Next have it repaired or replaced.
Computer / Entertainment Equipment
Check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly. Check for cracks or damage in the wiring, plugs, and connectors.
Another key point important to realize is an electrical injury is not always visible. Unsafe wiring in the walls of the home can also lead to electrical shocks or fire. When having additions or renovations done, or having upgrades done to your house that involve electrical work, it is extremely important to have a licensed electrician to do the work. The electrician should obtain a working permit. Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical, making sure all work meets NEC codes.
For more information on Arch Fault breakers please click here, or visit Siemens webpage.
