The Kestner Team

HOME SAFETY CHECK

An article from The Tennessee Magazine

Produced by Middle Tennessee Electric Membership

Electrical safety is a year round responsibility for everyone, but since most people spend so much time indoors in the winter, now is a good time to check your house for potential hazards.  The following 10 categories are recommended check areas by the national Electrical Safety Foundation.

1.                  OUTLETS:  Check for outlets with loose fitting plugs, which can lead to fire.  Replace any missing or broken wall plates.  Make sure there are safety covers on all unused outlets accessible to children.

2.                  CORDS:  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 another object.  Do not place cords under carpets or rugs or rest any furniture on them.

3.                  EXTENSION CORDS:  Check to see that cords are not overloaded.  Additionally, extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; they are not intended as permanent household wiring.  Make sure extension cords have safety closures to help prevent young children from shock hazards and mouth burn injuries.

4.                  PLUGS:  Make sure your plugs fit your outlets.  Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong plug fit a two-conductor outlet; this could lead to an electrical shock.  Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit.  Plugs should fit securely into outlets.  Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances.

5.                  GFCIs:  GFCIs, or ground fault circuitry interrupters, can help prevent electrocution.  They should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact.  When a GFCI senses current leakage in a circuit, it assumes a ground fault has occurred.  It then interrupts power fast enough to help prevent serious electrical shock.  Test \GFCIs regularly to make sure they are working properly.

6.                  LIGHTBULBS:  Check the wattage of all bulbs in light 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, as loose bulbs may overheat.

7.                  CIRCUIT BREAKERS/FUSES:  Circuit breakers and fuses should the correct size current rating for their circuit.  If you do not know the correct size, have an electrician identify and label the size to be used.  Always replace a fuse with the same size fuse.

8.                  WATER, ELECTRICITY DON’T MIX:  Don’t leave plugged-in appliances where they might contact water.  If one falls into water, NEVER pull it out – even if turned off.  First, turn off the power source at the panel board and then unplug the wet appliance.  Don’t use it until it has been checked.

9.                  APPLIANCES:  If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a breaker or gives a shock, unplug it and have it checked as soon as possible.

10.              ENTERTAINMENT/COMPUTERS:  Check to make sure the equipment is in good condition and working properly.  Scan the unit for damage in wiring, plugs, and connectors.  Always make sure to use a surge protector bearing the seal of a recognized certification agency.