August 6, 2010, Newsletter Issue #255: Electrical Safety Checklist

Tip of the Week

When it comes to electronics in your home, you want to make sure both your home and the people in it are safe. Here is an electrical safety checklist to refer to, courtesy of the National Electric Safety Foundation:

Cords: make sure cords are in good conditions, which means they are 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 to another object. Do not place cords under carpets or rugs or rest any furniture on them.Plugs: make sure your plugs fit your outlets. Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong fit a two-conductor outlet because it could lead to an electrical shock. And never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn't fit. Avoid overloading outlets with too many electronicsGround Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): these can help prevent electrocution and are used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. When a CFCI senses leakage in an electrical circuit, it assumes a ground fault has occurred. It then interrupts power fast enough to help prevent serious injury from electrical shock. Test GFCIs regularly, according to the manufacturer's instructions to make sure they are working properly.Light bulbs: 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. Make sure bulbs are screwed in securely because loose bulbs can overheat.Circuit breakers/fuses: should be 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. Water and electricity don't mix: don't leave plugged-in electronics where they might come into contact with water. If they do fall in water, never reach in and pull them out, even if they are turned off. First, turn off the power source at the panel board and then unplug the appliance or electronic. If you have an appliance that has gotten wet, don't use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person.Appliances: if an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse, trips a circuit breaker or if it has given you a shock, unplug it and have it repaired or replacedEntertainment computer equipment: check to see that the equipment is in good condition and working properly. Look for cracks or damage in wiring, plugs and connectors. Use a surge protector bearing the seal of a nationally recognized certification agency.Lightening: during an electrical storm, make sure you use surge protectors on electronic devices.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.