Eliminate the Top Safety Threats

Access Energy Cooperative wants to remind members that taking steps to eliminate the top electrical safety threats in and around the home may prevent numerous injuries and deaths that occur needlessly each year.
 
According to data from the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), top electrical safety hazards include: electrical fires caused by aging wiring and misuse of surge suppressors, and electrocutions from wiring systems and large appliances.
  
The following electrical safety tips may help avoid tragic and costly injuries:

• Make certain all appliances and equipment are approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
• Use appliances and equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Replace damaged electrical equipment or have it repaired at an authorized repair center. Replace frayed cords, broken plugs or cracks that could cause hazards. Cut and throw out damaged cords.
• Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when working where water is near electricity, in areas such as your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom or outdoors to protect against electric shock.
• Be alert for hazards of old wiring. Flickering or dimming lights can be signs of electrical wiring problems, Have wiring in homes 40 years old or more, or those over 10 years old that have had major renovations, inspected by a licensed electrical inspector.
• Add protection by installing a new electrical safety device – an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) – to detect and stop electrical arcs that can cause fires. Arcs are not detected by most breakers and fuses.
• Make sure power strips and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads for their intended use. Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet.

Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International