Safety with Extension Cords
Extension cords can be job savers if the power cord on the electrical appliance or tool you're using isn't long enough to reach the nearest outlet. Using extension cords properly is crucial to your safety, says the National Electrical Safety Foundation, which recommends the following tips for safe usage:
- Use extension cords on a temporary basis, not as permanent wiring.
- Do not use extension cords that are cut or damaged. Touching even a single exposed strand can give you an electric shock or burn.
- When using a cord with a three-prong plug, don't cut off the ground pin to force a fit into a two-slot receptacle. This practice defeats the grounding purpose of a three-prong plug and could lead to electrical shock. Make your connection to a grounded (three-slot) receptacle.
- A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can be plugged or installed into an outlet to protect against electrical shock. GFCIs are products designed to prevent serious injury or death from electrical shock by detecting ground faults at very low levels.