Electrical Safety You can prevent electrical accidents in your home
Follow this advice:
Have your home inspected by a licensed electrician every 10 years; sooner if you experience electrical problems
Know electrical system danger signs, such as flickering lights, blown fuses, and warm or discolored wall plates
Electrical circuit safety:
Don't overload your electrical circuits. Major appliances (refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.) each need their own receptacle outlets
Plug cords in securely. Don't used frayed or damaged cords
Use extension cords for temporary use only; if you need these daily, it’s time to get your electrical system upgraded.
Ask an electrician if your home needs an Arc-Flash Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)
An arc-fault can happen when electrical devices and wiring are old, damaged, or stressed. More than half of home electrical fires could be prevented each year if AFCIs were installed (Consumer
Product Safety Commission).
Cooking Safety Cooking is the leading cause of home fires
Prevent cooking fires:
Keep anything that can burn away from your stove top.
Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
Unplug cooking appliances after use.
GFCI prevent shock and electrocution:
Have GFCI receptacles in your kitchen.
Test them often.
Heating Safety Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States
Prevent heating fires
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heaters.
Place heaters flat on the ground.
Don't use an extension cord with your heater. Instead, plug it into the wall.
Turn heaters off when you go to sleep or leave the room.
Never use a heater with a damaged cord.
Have Working Smoke Alarms Every home needs working smoke alarms
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home.
Smoke alarms should be in each bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
Test your home alarms:
Push the test button on each smoke alarm every month.
Replace 9-volt batteries once a year.
Replace them sooner if the smoke alarm chirps (that means low battery power).
If your smoke alarms are 10 years old or older, replace them with new ones.
Keep your smoke alarm working:
If your smoke alarm makes noise when you're cooking, use a newspaper to fan the smoke away.