Electrical Safety

Electrical shocks and fires injure thousands of people each year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington, D.C. Electrical problems, particularly with electrical wiring systems, cause more than 40,000 residential house fires each year.

Experts suggest these do's and don'ts for electrical safety.

DON'T ignore flickering lights, blown fuses or sparks.
DO have a qualified electrician check the wiring.
"If you can't use the hair dryer while someone is making toast, it's time to get the wiring inspected," says Julie Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Mass. One blown fuse a year is probably OK, but two or more should be inspected. Other problem signs include dimming lights, an electrical smell, warm cords and soot around outlets.

DON'T overload outlets.
DO read appliance labels and calculate how to balance the load.
According to the NESF, most home outlets can support up to 1,500 watts. Some kitchen circuits can support 2,000 watts. To find what your appliances require, look for a wattage listing near the serial number (usually on the bottom of the appliance). Following these guidelines, it's a bad idea to plug a portable heater (about 1,200 watts) into the same outlet with an iron (about 1,100 watts). Results could range from a blown fuse to an electrical fire.

DON'T use older extension cords without inspecting them first.
DO check for frays and cracks and note the cord's load limit.
Damaged and overloaded cords may cause a shock or fire. Cords should tell how much power they can support. "A thin extension cord can't handle an electric heater," says Ken Giles, a spokesman for the CPSC. The risk: An overheated cord can cause a fire. Use heavy-duty cords for high-wattage appliances, such as portable heaters and freezers.

DON'T assume that your house is wired safely.
DO determine when your home was last inspected.
Check the electrical panel for a label or tag with a date and signature or initials. If there isn't one, use the home's age as a guide. The NESF urges homeowners to inspect -- and probably replace -- wiring that's 40 years or older. If it's been 10 years or more since the last inspection, a new inspection is advised, especially if you've added high-wattage appliances, outlets or extension cords. Systems inspected less than 10 years ago are usually safe.

DON'T ignore switches or outlets that don't work.
DO have a qualified licensed electrician inspect them.
"There's a reason behind why it doesn't work, and that reason could be a symptom of a larger problem," says Don Faires, a Charlotte, N.C.-based home inspector and president of the North Carolina Licensed Home Inspectors Association. He also warns against trying to wire appliances or correct problems on your own. Common mistakes include improper splices or overloaded circuits. The end result: fire or shock.

DON'T use electrical appliances or talk on the phone during an electrical storm.
DO wait until the storm passes.
"If lightning were to strike a tree or wire outside your house, (the jolt) could come in on the wire and would not only ruin the appliance, but would strike you too," says Dora Carter, NESF executive director.

DON'T tempt young children with exposed outlets.
DO use safety covers or special outlets.
Devices range from inexpensive snap-on outlet covers to special tamper-resistant switch plates. Watch that the snap-on variety fits snugly, covers all three holes, and that there aren't gaps between the protector and outlet. "I've seen outlets that are indented or grooved and are perfect for little fingers to pop the covers off," says Carter.

DON'T forget any hidden dangers.
DO inspect your home room by room.
Problem areas include:

Kitchen/Bathroom:

• Outlets around sinks should have ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or outlets that shut off when a current is flowing through a person. Consumers can buy GFCI adapters, which plug into existing outlets, in most hardware stores for $20-$30, Giles says. Electricians must install permanent GFCIs.
• Clean behind and underneath the fridge periodically to prevent dust and dirt buildup on coils and cords.
• Never touch an electrical device if you are in contact with water.

Bedroom

• An electric blanket that's "tucked in" or covered with another blanket may overheat and catch fire.
• Light-bulb wattages must match the specifications on lighting fixtures (in entire house).

Living/Family Room:

• Parents should install safety covers on outlets (in entire house).
• Keep cords out of walkways.
• Don't cover cords with carpeting or rugs. The cords could overheat.

Laundry/Utility Room:

• Periodically vacuum your dryer's lint trap and exhaust hose. Lint buildup is a fire hazard.
• Make certain washer and dryer cords aren't pinched.
• Keep a 3-foot area around gas appliances, like dryers, water heaters and furnaces, clear of any objects and clutter.

Closets:

• Keep stored items a safe distance from light bulbs. Towels or wrapping paper can catch fire from a bulb that's left on.

Garage/Workshop:

• Use an adapter to plug three-prong plugs into a two-hole receptacle. Replace tools without a three-prong plug or whose cords aren't double insulated.
• Never use a power tool if the grounding pin has been removed.

Outdoors:

• All outdoor sockets should have GFCIs.
• Never use an electric mower on wet grass.
• Make sure extension cords and holiday lights are intended for outdoor use.

Top 10 Electrical Safety Tips

1. Check it out. Check your home's electrical panel for a last-inspected date. If it has been more than 10 years, get a new inspection.
2. Get unplugged. Unplug heat-producing appliances when not in use. This includes irons and toasters. The National Fire Protection Association's Julie Reynolds says it's OK to leave a light burning for security, as long as the lamp is operating properly and the bulb is the correct wattage.
3. Watch the wattage. Burning a 100-watt bulb in a lamp designed for 60 watts is a fire hazard. Most lamps have wattage instructions written along the socket.
4. Use cords with caution. Extension cords are meant for short-term use and shouldn't be used to plug more items into a single outlet. If you have cords running throughout the house, have an electrician install additional outlets.
5. The urge to surge. Use surge protectors wherever possible.
6. Give them a test. Test ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) monthly. Turn on a nightlight plugged into the outlet. Depress the "test" button. If the light turns off, the outlet is working properly. If the "reset" button pops out but the light stays on, the GFCI isn't working. Press the "reset" button to return the outlet to normal. In addition, contact a qualified, licensed electrician to ensure your GFCI is working correctly and doesn't need replacing.
7. High and dry. Keep appliances away from water. Never reach into water for a plugged-in appliance. Unplug it first. Have the item inspected before using it again.
8. Nice and tight. Screw bulbs in securely. Loose bulbs may overheat and burn shades, drapes or nearby furniture.
9. No yanking. Unplug appliances by the gripping area next to the outlet. Yanking or tugging can damage the cord wire or insulation and could cause electrical shock or fire, according to the National Electrical Safety Foundation.
10. Forget the pennies. Pennies may be a quick fix for blown fuses, but they could cause the electrical panel to overheat and catch fire, says the NESF's Dora Carter.

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