Electricity plays a key role in our daily lives. It's important
to know how to use electricity safely. Here are some safety
tips:
Never have loose fitting plugs. It causes overheating. Have
an electrician check the outlet immediately.
Use quality extension cords that have been listed by a recognized
certification organization.
Cords should always be in good condition. Discard frayed
or cracked cords.
Cords should be placed out of traffic areas.
Never nail or staple cords to the wall, baseboard or to
another object. Never have any furniture resting on cords.
Use extension cords only on a temporary basis; they are
not safe as permanent household wiring. Always check to make
sure they do not get overheated.
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.
Install Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in kitchens,
bathrooms and other areas where water and electricity may
come into contact to prevent electrocutions.
Test GFCIs regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions
to make sure they are working properly.
If you 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 size 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 electrician.
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.
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